Communities throughout the State are counting the cost of yesterday's torrential wind and rain storms which caused widespread damage to homes and business premises.
The south and south-east were worst affected by the floods with 37 mm of rain falling in Cork in the 12 hours to 6 p.m. Rosslare and Dublin had 22 mm, Mullingar 23 mm, and Kilkenny and Knock 16 mm. Up to 12,000 homes and businesses were affected by power cuts and winds of up to 60 m.p.h. brought down cables and lines.
An ESB spokesman said power should be restored to all but 2,000 customers by this morning. Most of the damage was to low-voltage systems in small communities. Among the areas worst hit were north County Dublin, including Portmarnock and Rush; Naas, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Castlebar, Clifden, Achill and Ennis. The ESB spokesman said its storm repair crews were working as hard as possible to restore power in what was a "quite hazardous" situation.
Rail services were also affected with the Dublin-Rosslare line closing due to a mud slide near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. No one was injured in the incident but severe delays were caused to passengers. An Iarnrod Eireann spokesman said the line between Greystones and Wicklow had to be closed last night as waves were breaking over it. Passengers were transferred on to buses between Ark low and Bray where DART trains brought them into Dublin.
The Dublin-Waterford line was also closed yesterday after a wall came down across the tracks south of Thomastown. The Cork -Cobh line was closed because of flooding and speed restrictions operated on a number of other routes.
In Dublin, traffic was badly affected with flooding on the Howth Road in Clontarf, Morehampton Road in Donnybrook and Strawberry Beds in Lucan. The Dublin Fire Brigade said all but two of its units had been called out to assist householders. North Dublin, Tallaght and Rathfarnham were among the worst affected. A number of units also helped to pump out floodwaters from some homes and businesses in Dun Laoghaire.
AA Roadwatch had advised motorists to postpone all journeys for 24 hours unless they were absolutely necessary.
Malin Head Coastguard station co-ordinated the rescue of two canoeists who were swept out to sea at Bundoran, Co Donegal, yesterday afternoon. The Bundoran lifeboat also towed to safety an angling vessel with four crew which broke down off Mullaghmore Head.
Lorna Siggins adds: The Irish Farmers Association has warned that any delay in south Galway's flood alleviation works could result in another crisis this winter. Hundreds of acres of farmland in east and south Galway lie under water and yesterday several roads were blocked by fallen trees. The Irish Water Safety Association in Galway warned people to beware of walking near swollen river banks.
South Galway has experienced flooding problems during winter months over the past few years, and £2.5 million was allocated in last year's budget to fund five schemes which might alleviate the worst effects. A steering committee was appointed last January to report back to the Minister of State for Finance.
An IFA spokesman said any delay in the public display of details of the first scheme - in Ballyglass/Cregclare/Ardrahan - could result in another crisis.