Gusts of up to 75 miles an hour caused power cuts and structural damage in the south and south-east of the country yesterday. Storm force 10 was reached offshore, according to Met Eireann spokeswoman Ms Ann Farrell.
More than 8,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity in Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Tipperary and south Leinster, according to the ESB.
A spokesman said the strong winds had caused falling debris which severed lines. "From about 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, there were some very heavy lightning storms. In one two-hour period, there were 100 lightning strikes in the Munster area," he said, damaging transformers and power lines.
By 5 p.m. yesterday, power had been restored to 7,000 customers and the ESB hoped to have all customers reconnected last night.
An articulated truck overturned and spilled two containers of dangerous chemicals as the Stena Challenger encountered heavy seas on the passage from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire last night.
The incident was reported at 10.30 p.m. and a full alert was put in place. The ship was met by six units of the Dublin Fire Brigade and two ambulances. The ferry was carrying 114 passengers and 44 crew. Strong winds forced Irish Ferries and Stena Line to cancel their fast ferries but conventional ferries operated normally. The companies advised passengers to confirm today's fast-ferry sailings.
A marquee pavilion at the Farm Machinery Show in Simmonscourt, Dublin, had to be closed at lunchtime because of the strong winds. Visitors who wished to see the display yesterday will get free passes today.
A pedestrian was injured when a hoarding fell outside the A-Wear clothes shop on Grafton Street, Dublin. The man was taken to St James's Hospital but his injuries were not thought to be serious. A Garda spokeswoman said it appeared that strong winds had blown down the hoarding.
The winds were dying down last night, according to Met Eireann, and today is expected to be bright and sunny with intermittent showers, particularly in Munster. Weather will be mixed for the later half of the week and temperatures are forecast to drop slightly.
