Heavy gusts result in fallen debris, power outages

Met Éireann is forecasting more heavy winds after gusts of up to 110 km/h caused disruptions to roads and power services overnight.

Heavy winds caused fallen trees and debris on some routes and AA Roadwatch is recommending that drivers take extra care.

There are currently reports that the A1 Newry By-Pass is closed southbound near Dorans Hill so debris can be removed. In Co Meath, there are reports of a fallen electricity poll on the Kildalkey/Trim Rd, while in Antrim, a fallen tree has resulted in the Nutts Corner Rd being closed outside Crumlin.

The tree that was reported as blocking the Broadford/Bodyke Rd in Co Clare has been removed.

ESB is reporting some power outages across the country, with repairs still being made to faults in the Bohola and Swinford areas of Mayo, the Killeshanda, Belturbet and Drumlane areas of Cavan, as well as the Adare, Croom, Kilmallock, Patrickswell and Croagh areas of Limerick.

There is currently a fault in Greystones, Co Wicklow and the ESB says it will be repaired by noon. For real-time information on faults and repairs, click here.

Met Éireann earlier issued status orange and yellow national weather warnings as the country woke up to southwest gusts of 90 to 110 km/h. The warnings expired at 9am, but further heavy winds are expected today, reaching gale force strength in exposed parts of the north and northwest.

Saturday is predicted to be cold and windy with scattered showers in northern and eastern parts of the country, with possible thunder. There is a possibility of light snow in northwest areas and frequent showers later in the evening.

Top temperatures will range from five to eight degrees Celsius throughout the evening, dropping to a low of zero to four degrees Celsius overnight.