HIGH winds and heavy rain are expected to continue all week, with roadusers warned to take particular care. Those booked on ferries should check with their carriers.
Winds were particularly strong along the west coast on Sunday night, with gusts reaching over 90mph in Co Donegal, and up to 80mph in Co Mayo.
There were also heavy showers in western areas, leading to a lot of surface water on side roads, according to the AA. It warned road users to look out for fallen debris and that intending motorists should stick to main roads.
The Stena Line's high speed ferry from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead was cancelled last night, as was its Rosslare Fishguard crossing. The Dublin Holyhead route was covered by the multipurpose vessel, the Challenger, which took all passengers.
Irish Ferries had no Dublin Holyhead sailing because of a drill, rather than the weather, according to a spokeswoman. As the drill was planned, no bookings had been taken. Dublin Holyhead and Rosslare Pembroke sailings were expected to go ahead last night.
Although there were gusts of 60mph at Dublin Airport, there were no delays.
A part of the South Wall pier of Dublin Port was damaged by the storm over recent days but, according to Mr Brian Tovey, the chief engineer with the Dublin Port and Docks Board, this happens every winter.
According to a spokesman for Met Eireann, the weather will continue to be unsettled all week. The east and south will see very heavy rain later this week, with rain and sleet in the north.
Thursday is likely to be particularly windy, with temperatures rising from the 5C to 10C expected earlier in the week. Because of low temperatures, there could be frost at night despite the strong winds.
The Irish Road Hauliers Association has called for support for fishermen seeking an extension of the time available to meet fish quotas as fishing boats have been unable to leave port for the past two weeks due to the weather.
Meanwhile, a Donegal family in the village of Ranafast had a lucky escape after lightning struck their home, engulfing it in flames yesterday afternoon.
Severe gales, gusting to storm force 11, swept the north west yesterday, isolating 200 inhabitants on the islands of Tory and Innisfree. About 150 inhabitants are without electricity on Arranmore island since early yesterday morning following storm damage.
. Six people died in two separate car crashes last night as gusts of 90 mph and driving rain swept across Britain as the country prepared for its worst storms since 1990. The crashes were at King's Lynn, Norfolk, and on the MS near Bristol.