For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emails<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands of homes are without power after Storm Betty battered Ireland.<\/p>\n
ESB Networks said storm-force winds associated caused damage to the electricity network overnight, affecting just over 70,000 homes, farms and businesses.<\/p>\n
Just before noon on Saturday,\u00a0just under 50,000\u00a0electricity customers remained without power with the damage mainly attributable to lightning and fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.<\/p>\n
Areas most impacted include counties in the South-East along with North Dublin, Dundalk, Portlaoise and Kilkenny.<\/p>\n
An ESB Networks statement said: \u201cAll available resources are being deployed to respond to all electricity outages where safe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cESB Networks crews have been working since first light and will work through this afternoon into this evening to restore power to as many customers as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cA significant number of impacted\u00a0customers will have their power restored by this evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, due to the\u00a0scale of the\u00a0damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas may remain without supply overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Customers without power can check for real-time updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at\u00a0www.PowerCheck.ie.<\/p>\n
All Met Eireann weather alerts have now been lifted.<\/p>\n
On Saturday morning the Castletownbere lifeboat was launched in gale-force winds to go to the assistance two sailors whose yacht got into difficulties on the northern shore of Kenmare Bay in Co Kerry.<\/p>\n
The 31-foot ketch had been anchored off Dromquinna and, as the storm became increasingly strong, the vessel dragged anchor and became stuck on a rock.<\/p>\n
The sailors were concerned and raised the alarm with the Irish Coast Guard\u2019s Marine Research Coordination Centre in Valentia stating that they were requesting immediate assistance.<\/p>\n
The yacht was subsequently located on a rock south of Dromquinna but, with the rising tide, volunteer lifeboat crew were able to attach a tow rope and pull the vessel clear.<\/p>\n
Paul Stevens, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Castletownbere RNLI, said: \u201cWhen the crew returns this afternoon, they will have spent over 10 hours at sea in challenging conditions \u2013 demonstrating their very strong commitment to the lifeboat service.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland, the PSNI warned motorists to be aware of hazardous driving conditions.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cPolice are continuing to appeal to road users to continue to exercise caution this morning in all areas of the country, as high winds and rain can make driving conditions difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also reports of trees down on a number of roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cMotorists should continue to proceed carefully and at lower speeds, bearing in mind the impact of this weather on stopping distances and braking.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease also heed any road closure signage.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emails Tens of thousands of homes are without power after Storm Betty battered Ireland. ESB Networks said storm-force winds associated caused damage to the electricity network overnight, affecting just over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n