15,000 without power after Donegal storm

Thousands of home and business are without electricity or phone services this morning following the overnight storm that battered the country with severe winds.

Around 20,000 homes in the north-west are without electricity, most of them in coastal areas of Co Donegal.

The ESB says its technicians hope to reconnect all customers by this afternoon.

Eircom, meanwhile, says more than 7,500 faults have been reported in the north-west, south-west, Connacht and the Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary regions.

The company says it will be next week before services can be restored to all customers.

Gusts of almost 100mph were recorded in some areas overnight, prompting warnings this morning for motorists to beware of fallen branches and debris.

There are also reports of black ice in some areas following sleet and snow showers.

Ulster, Connacht and north Leinster were the worst-affected areas.