Thousands of homes without power amid strong winds

Emergency crews tackling downed power & phone lines on the Westport coast road near Louisburgh, Co Mayo.

Over 3,500 homes across the country have been left without power as strong gusts batter Ireland on Wednesday. 

Thousands of homes and businesses in Munster, Galway, Wexford, Sligo and Kilkenny will not see their electricity return until Wednesday evening.