Storms could lead to more blackouts

ESB crews remain on high alert as Met Éireann has forecast more storms over the next 48 hours, increasing the risk of further power cuts.

More than 10,000 ESB customers were left in the dark yesterday morning after lightning strikes which blacked out a stretch from parts of Wexford into Drogheda and Dundalk. The main line into Waterford city at Misery Hill was also struck directly by fork lightning, leaving about 2,000 homes and businesses without power for several hours yesterday morning.

An ESB spokesman said there was little the company could do in such a storm.