Storm-force gales across the country today caused power outages and disrupted road, sea and air travel.
The ESB said that approximately 24,000 customers across the country were without power this evening. Approximately 13,000 people in Donegal were without electricity, with customers in Longford, Cavan and Monaghan also affected.
The ESB said it hoped to have power restored to as many people as possible tonight but that there was a chance that some customers will not have power restored until New Year's Day.
Violent hail and thunder storms caused problems across the country today. Driving conditions, especially on minor roads, were hazardous.
Fallen trees
Council workers and land owners were continuing to remove fallen trees from many rural roads this afternoon, including ones in Aughrim and Kilconnell in east Galway, as well as in Moycullen in Connemara.
Foster Street in Galway city was closed when gardaí became concerned that scaffolding on a large building was in danger of falling down. Some parts of Salthill, including car parks on the promenade at Seapoint, experienced flooding, and motorists were unable to reach their cars for a time.
There were also trees down in the Moylough area of Co Galway and the Ballyforan area of Co Roscommon. Emergency workers were trying to remove trees which were blocking and partially blocking several roads in the area, and where trees were down gardaí were diverting traffic and helping motorists to get through.
Falling trees were also causing difficulties for motorists in Co Donegal. A number of trees fell near the village of Frosses, with others in danger of falling. Gardaí were advising extreme caution in the area.
In Donegal town a car crashed after a tree fell on the Ballyshannon Road. Trees also fell on other roads out of the town. The Quay car park in Donegal town was deluged with seawater and a number of cars were flooded. Falling slates from a business premises in the town were also proving hazardous.
Council workers in Sligo were clearing fallen trees, branches and bushes from roads this afternoon. Motorists were advised to avoid the road to Rosses Point as waves were crashing over the sea wall and a number of cars were stranded.
The main road between Navan and Dublin was partially closed after a tree collapsed just over 1km from the town of Navan.
Gardaí advised motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Sailings cancelled
Stena Line and Irish Ferries sailings from Dublin to Holyhead earlier today were cancelled.
However, the Irish Ferries Dublin to Holyhead Cruise Ferry at 8.55pm was due to depart on schedule. All passengers from earlier cancelled Fast Craft sailings were to be accommodated on this sailing.
Flights to and from Galway Airport were diverted to Ireland West Airport in Knock, Co Mayo.
The Dublin Port Tunnel was closed earlier today because of an electrical fault. It re-opened this evening and there were no delays reported at either end of the tunnel during the closure.
In Northern Ireland, the Foyle Bridge in Derry was closed to traffic today. And an outdoor New Year's Eve concert in central Belfast was cancelled due to the severe winds.
