Flights cancelled and windows smashed in gales

Pedestrians escaped injury after gales flung a chair into a café window, sending shards of broken glass flying through the air.

The incident occurred on Cork’s Lapp’s Quay yesterday afternoon as damaging gusts of up to 130km/h lashed the south of the country.

It is understood the gales blew a chair into glass-topped hoarding outside the Boardwalk Bar and Grill, smashing the glass.

The chair was flung by the wind about 10m along the boardwalk into a 3m glass panel on Cafe Gusto.

It sent broken glass flying across the normally busy pedestrian area.

Boardwalk staff helped clear the glass from the area before the site was sealed off by gardaí.

Met Éireann had earlier issued a national weather alert warning of strong to severe winds across Munster and southern parts of Leinster.

Last night, a number of flights from Irish airports had to be cancelled. They included Aer Lingus flights from Cork to Heathrow and Amsterdam and flights between Dublin and several British destinations.

Forecasters said southerly winds had mean speeds of between 65km/h to 80km/h, with gusts from 110km/h to 130km/hr, strongest near the coast.

The weather alert remained in place until the early hours of this morning.

Met Éireann also issued a marine weather warning, predicting winds that will reach “storm force for a time last night” from Mizen Head to Valentia to Slyne Head.

The Road Safety Authority advised motorists to slow down and to expect the unexpected.

RSA chief Brian Farrell said motorcyclists, truck drivers and bus drivers need to take extra care.

“For road users, the message is to be aware of fallen debris on the roads, and being blown out on to the road into your path,” said Mr Farrell.

“In those winds, control of the vehicle can be difficult, especially on open roads like motorways.”

Today will be blustery with sunny spells and showers, which will be heavy and prolonged across the western half of the country, with the risk of thunder.

It will be drier further to the north but showers are expected through the afternoon. Westerly winds will be strong and gusty.