A torrential downpour which lasted for an hour caused the ceilings of a supermarket and Government buildings in Clonmel, Co Tipperary to collapse yesterday while in Cork three patients in intensive care had to be moved after flooding.
The patients in the ICU of Cork University Hospital were evacuated when rain began to seep through the walls of the unit causing flooding.
Two of the patients were moved to the theatre recovery unit shortly after 5 p.m. while a third was transferred to the cardiac unit.
A spokesperson for the hospital said the patients were never in any danger.
At the same time in Clonmel the ceilings of a Tesco supermarket on Gladstone Street and the Social Welfare office on the Quays collapsed. Emergency services were on the scene in minutes but no one was hurt.
Mr David O'Donnell manager of the Social Welfare office said the dozen staff working at the time were shocked when a section of the ceiling fell in.
"Luckily the public area wasn't damaged, it could have been a lot worse," he said.
The Office of Public Works has promised to carry out a full investigation. Meanwhile the Tesco store remained closed to the public yesterday evening.
A spokesman for Met Eireann said there was nothing out of the ordinary about torrential rain in August.