500 still without power due to Storm Rachel damage

Around 500 ESB customers remain without power this morning, after Storm Rachel caused outages yesterday.

17,000 thousand homes and businesses were knocked offline as high winds battered the western coasts in particular.

Most faults have now been fixed - however, a small number remain unresolved this morning affecting about 500 customers.

Eircom crews are also working to restore service to its customers after around 10,000 were without service yesterday.

"We have over 1,000 technicians that have been working, but they do require, for health an safety reasons, to largely be working in daylight," said Director of Corporate Affairs with Eircom, Paul Bradley.

"They'll return at first light as soon as it's safe to do so."

Met Éireann still has a yellow weather alert in place, warning of sleet and snow. Parts of the Midlands, north and east are likely to be affected. Some accumulation is possible, especially on high ground.

AA roadwatch reports that snow and ice are causing problems this morning. Particular care is needed around Roscommon Town, Carrick-On-Shannon, Monaghan Town, county Cavan and Donegal.

Ice is also a problem on roads around Mullingar.