Most fatal farm electrical powerline accidents occur when loading or stacking bales of hay or straw, ESB Networks have warned.

Homes and businesses without landline phones could be waiting for several weeks more for restoration of service, Eircom said yesterday.

Last month’s establishment of a commission to consider if the grim prospect of super-sized pylons strung across our attractive countryside might be averted by burying 440kV power lines seemed as good a kick to touch as anything contrived by the splendid Johnny Sexton at the Aviva stadium on Saturday.

Burying Eirgrid’s controversial high-voltage powerlines would cost around €4 a year per person, according to an expert who insists this would be the best course of action.