Apartment block roof blown off

The roof blew off an apartment block today as storm-force winds battered the country.

Gardaí said no-one was injured after gales ripped open homes at the complex in Carrickmines Manor, south Dublin.

Residents were being evacuated and all traffic was being stopped from entering the estate near the M50/N11 junction.

“Gardaí and the fire brigade are at the scene. They are evacuating three blocks,” a garda spokeswoman said.

Carrickmines Manor resident Hazel Melbourne said she felt like she was in a scene from 'The Wizard of Oz' when she saw the roof fly past her second floor apartment at 8.30am.

“I was sitting on my couch putting on my make-up and getting ready for work when the roof literally flew by me,” said Ms Melbourne.

“There was a massive bang and it crashed on a portable building out the back.

“It was like something from the Wizard of Oz.

“We were very lucky it went in that direction, otherwise it would have come through the glass.”

The 32-year-old, a manager in Wow beauty salon in Shankill, said she called the gardaí and that within 20 minutes firefighters had evacuated residents from their homes.

It is understood a flat roof was also ripped off another apartment block in nearby Sandyford recently.