MAN IS KILLED BY GUST OF WIND

Tragedy as Donegal hit by Status Red gales, Fallen trees & flooding cause major disruption

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE

A MAN has died in a "weatherrelated incident" in Co Donegal and thousands of homes were without power last night as Ireland was battered by Storm Amy.

Gardai and emergency services personnel attended the scene of a "serious injury incident", which happened at a domestic residence in Letterkenny.

The incident occurred shortly after 4.15pm yesterday while the county was under a Status Red weather warning amid extremely strong and gusty southwest winds.

Gardai have confirmed the man, aged in his 40s, was fatally injured in the incident and his body has since been removed to the morgue at Letterkenny University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, brought widespread disruption on the island of Ireland including localised flooding, fallen trees, transport disruption and school closures.

Met Eireann issued its highest-level wind warning in Co Donegal, where residents were advised to shelter in place between 4pm and 6pm.

The Status Red wind warning meant fallen trees, damage to power lines, dangerous travelling conditions, structural damage and wave overtopping.

HAZARDOUS

As of 8.45pm last night, about 234,000 homes, farms and businesses were without power across the Island.

The ESB also warned that further power outages can be expected.