Woman killed by falling tree in strong winds

A 45-YEAR-OLD woman has been killed by a falling tree in Dublin city, as high winds and heavy rain swept across the country.

The tree fell during high winds at Waterloo Road, off Baggot Street, shortly after 5pm.

The woman was walking when she was struck by the falling tree.

She was taken to nearby St Vincent’s Hospital but was pronounced dead a short while later. The tree blocked Waterloo Road for a number of hours following the tragedy. Gardaí also closed a section of the road between Baggot Street and the N11/Leeson Street for a number of hours after the incident.

Also, traffic on D’Olier Street in Dublin was reduced to one lane for a period after an object fell from a building there during the blustery conditions.

In exposed parts of the west and north-west of the country, gusts of up to 100km per hour were recorded early in the day.

Met Éireann has warned that south-westerly winds will increase during today and will become strong again, in particular across the north and west where they will reach gale force.

In Galway, the stormy conditions along with high tides and heavy rain left a number of roads in Salthill impassable.

Nearby Pearse Stadium also sustained partial damage to its roof.

Give the potentially high winds expected across the country today, Gardaí are warning motorists and pedestrians venturing outside to take extra care.