TWO people have been killed in the last 24 hours while 39,000 have been left without power as the forceful Storm Ali begins to ease.
As the high speed winds of Storm Ali begin to ease across Ireland today, the damage it caused in the last 24 hours is being assessed.
ESB crews have been working tirelessly all morning to restore power to the 39,000 homes, farms and businesses that have been left without power thanks to the treacherous conditions.
At the height of yesterday’s storm, 186,000 customers across the country were impacted.
Additional ESB crews from less affected counties have been deployed to the worst affected counties in a bid to restore power to all of those left without it by this afternoon.
Two people tragically lost their lives yesterday as winds reached speeds of 140km/h
A woman in her 50’s died when the caravan she was staying in was blown off a cliff edge near Clifden, Co Galway.
The deceased was named yesterday as Elvira Ferraii, a Swiss tourist who was visiting Connemara.
Members of Clifden Fire Brigade, gardaí, and Cleggan Coast Guard rushed to the scene as soon as the alarm was raised at 7.45am yesterday morning but despite their best efforts, were unable to save the woman.
Elsewhere near Newry, Co. Down one man died and another man was injured after being hit by a tree as he worked in Slieve Gullion Park.
It is understood the men were doing contract work for Northern Ireland Water.
The man who died was aged in his 20s. The injured man, aged in his 40s, was taken to hospital.
Several flights were delayed or cancelled from Irish airports yesterday and a number of domestic transport systems experienced disruptions.
The brunt of the storm seems to have passed now, with Met Eireann issuing the following forecast for today.
"Rain will continue to spread northeastwards this morning and will become persistent and heavy though South Munster and South Leinster, with a risk of spot flooding. Rain will be more intermittent elsewhere, but will still be heavy at times, however some northwestern and northern parts may hold mostly dry until late afternoon. Winds light and variable for a time, will increase strong later near the South and East coast later. Top temperatures just 11 to 14 degrees Celsius.
"Rain clearing and tonight will be cool and blustery with clear spells and showers, some heavy. Winds will increase fresh or strong westerly overnight and will be strong to near gale and gusty near some coasts. Another chilly night with minimum temperatures of just 6 to 9 degrees Celsius."
