Several areas without power in wake of lightning storm

A large number of houses in Westmeath are currently without electricity, with several individual breakdowns showing up on the ESB’s interrupted service map.

The breakdowns are believed to be connected to the lightning that occurred in the last hour or so, together with torrential rain and thunder.

The most significant outage appears to be close to Ballynacargy, where 208 customers are without power.

Faults are also currently showing up in the town area, where there are 89 customers affected; with a further 33 without power between Milltownpass and Kinnegad, and a similar number without power in the Gaybrook area.