The ESB is working to restore power to 5,000 customers after severe storms. There are faults logged across the country and crews are on the ground.

The west and north are still experiencing high winds where engineers are working in harsh conditions to restore power.

Bernardine Maloney from ESB Networks says that Galway is worst affected.

Elsewhere the island of Inishmore was left completely without power this morning.

Valencia Coastguard, along with Shannon Coastguard Helicopter. have helped to dispatch an ESB crew to the Island.

Mission controller Maurice Curtain has more details.

Meanwhile Eircom says it expects to clear 800 faults today.

It follows extensive lightning in the west, south-west and east of the country - where 7,800 customers are without service.

The worst affected areas are Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, north Cork, west Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo.

The firm says 200 crews have been recalled from leave and will be working on St. Stephen's Day.

Customers who suffer a loss of service are being asked to log the fault at www.eircom.ie/logafault or through the automated customer service line 1901.