5000 homes in west Ireland without power

Some 5000 homes in west Ireland are without power due to a lightning storm on Tuesday, state media reported. State broadcaster RTE quoted ESB, Ireland's premier electricity utility, as saying that the areas worst affected was north County Mayo. Repair crews have now restored power to most of west County Galway. Repair crews are also working to restore power to homes on the Aran island in County Galway after power outages were reported there over the past 24 hours. Earlier Tuesday, as many as 17,500 homes were without power, according to ESB. Meanwhile, Irish telecommunications company Eircom said almost 8,000 of its customers were without power in the west, southwest and east of the country due to lightning strikes. It said it expected to clear 800 faults Tuesday. Met Eireann, the Irish national meteorological service, said an Orange wind warning was still in place and the weather would remain blustery. However, it expected there conditions will improve by the end of the day. Irish ferries service has cancelled fast ferry sailings Tuesday due to the stormy weather and passengers will now be accommodated on conventional crafts. Ireland's national flag carrier Aer Lingus said all passengers who were affected by three flights cancelled on Monday due to bad weather will be accommodated Tuesday.