Farmers have said we could see shortages of some fruits and vegetables because of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) said this time of year is a vulnerable one for growers, as tunnels and glass houses have been planted with young plants for the upcoming season.

The group is calling for the Government to support farmers and ensure there are no empty shelves in the near future.

The IFA's Fruit and Vegetable Chairman Niall McCormack outlines some of the damage he has experienced on his own farm.

“We're based in South County Longford and we lost three tunnels and one tunnel had structural damage done to it,” he said.

“It's not only the tunnels and the polyhouses and the glass houses and the mushroom houses that are the problem - it's also the crop that's inside in the tunnels.

“Some of these crops will have to be dumped.”

Workers clearing a fallen tree on Grove Park Drive in Dublin. Picture date: Sunday January 26, 2025. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Mr McCormack said the storm couldn't have happened at a worse time.

“Farmers just want to get back into business,” he said.

“They realise that everybody in the community has been affected but growers just want to get back into the business and do what they know the best.

“Growers are operating on quite tight margins, so there's not really much money left in the purse and for that reason, growers need some help.”

As of last night, 142,000 customers were still without power and around 31,000 had no water.

Both the ESB and Uisce Éireann are thanking customers for their continued patience.

Meanwhile the Government have said urgent humanitarian aid is available for people in need of food and vital supplies, along with supports for people who've suffered structural damage to their homes as a result of Friday's storm.

A fallen tree leans dangerously across the Rosscommon Road near Athlone is being held up by power lines due to storm Eowyn. Credit: Athlone Photography/Alamy Live News. 24th January 2025