Lightning cuts power to 20,000 in Galway

A blackout caused by lightning left 20,000 people in Galway without electricity this morning.

ESB spokesman Mr Michael Kelly told ireland.coma lightning storm which struck west Galway this morning damaged a distribution sub-station serving the Ballybrit, Ballyban and Parkmore areas of the city.

The power of the lightening caused a blackout from 8.10 until 12.45 this afternoon.

Mr Kelly said the storm caused severe damage to the station as it was "quite intense though quite localised" and ESB employees will work through the evening on repairs.

Mr Kelly said the ESB apologised for the inconvenience its Galway customers experienced but said the problem was caused by "forces beyond our control."