A major air and sea search took place along the Co Clare coast yesterday after a 19-year-old woman was swept from the cliffs near Kilkee in atrocious weather conditions. The search was hampered by extremely difficult conditions with waves up to 10 feet high.
The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. A man walking in the area saw the young woman being swept from the cliff and raised the alarm. The Irish Marine Emergency Service's (IMES) helicopter searched the area, along with Community Inshore Rescue boats.
The Department of the Marine spokesman said all the rescue groups in the area were involved in the search but the weather was "horrendous", the water was very cold and the waves were huge, between 7 ft and 10 ft high.
"It is very bad weather and we are very concerned. We will continue on for as long as we can in the dark. The helicopter can detect through body heat in the water. It also has night vision equipment, but it is difficult trying to carry out a rescue operation in the dark."
A Garda spokesman said they could not disclose the name of the young woman at present.
Icy roads and snow in some areas, notably in the north-west, has meant the weather during the festive holiday period has been testing for many. But Met Eireann said the rest of the week would be less challenging and more conducive to getting out.
Southern and western areas experiencing high levels of flooding notably along mostly in the south and western half of the country - there will see some rain, particularly on Thursday evening, but levels will be generally low.
Thousands of acres of farmland are under water, with the worst areas in south Co Galway and the rivers Shannon and Suck. Any additional rainfall in these areas may exacerbate problems.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service mounted a major investigation yesterday after two large slicks were discovered off the Cork coast, which turned out to be due to recent weather conditions. A "light brown substance" had been sighted, which was causing a sheen on the surface a few miles out from Knockadoon Head.
The IMES helicopter from Dublin took water samples which were analysed and found to be silt. It is believed to have come from the River Blackwater after very heavy rainfall in the past few weeks; flooding in adjoining areas and exceptionally high tides caused by the moon's proximity to the earth.
Confirmation that the worst was over in terms of storms and lightning came from the ESB yesterday as it said power had been restored to all areas affected. The biggest lightning strikes in terms of blacking out electricity supplies were in the north-west and in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on Monday, an ESB spokeswoman said.
Mr John Eagleton of Met Eireann said it would continue to be cool and frosty at night up to the weekend, with a milder night on Thursday and into Friday.
Today is due to be dry and bright, if cold, with temperatures during daylight hours only reaching 6 Celsius. The north-west is most likely to be affected by any showers about. New Year's Day and Sunday would be cooler, he said, but with bright spells; "good weather for getting out".