4,000 homes lose power during weekend gales

Up to 4,000 homes throughout Meath were left without electricity on Saturday afternoon after stormy conditions caused power outages in several areas. Severe weather led to power lines being brought down and the ESB has estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 homes in the Meath area were affected by the power cuts. All network crews were out on Saturday to repair lines and electricity was restored to all homes in the county by evening time. Meanwhile, Meath County Council dealt with fallen trees caused by storm-force winds in several areas, including Athboy, Clonalvey, Carlanstown, Wilkinstown, Castletown, Enfield, Dowth Road, Newgrange, Slane Road, Navan and in Nobber. A hoarding was also blown down on a construction site in Navan. Heavy snow in Oldcastle yesterday (Tuesday) morning left roads in a very hazardous condition for some time. By lunchtime, up to two inches of snow was sticking to roads in the area and all roads were said to be hazardous, with some minor roads impassable. Roads throughout north Meath were hazardous over the weekend as branches and other debris littered all roads after Saturday"s storms, although no roads were closed.