As 16,000 remain devoid of electricity, the commencement of clear-up efforts following Storm Ashley begins nationwide. Sunday evening bore the brunt of the storm which resulted in power cuts for thousands of homes and widespread tree destruction, particularly in Galway and Donegal.
As of Monday morning, ESB Networks reported that 16,000 customers were still without power at 7am. Areas in counties Galway, Mayo and Kerry were worst-hit, more so around Dingle. Comparatively, Dublin saw over 100 households still with no power services as of 6.30am Monday, with further power outages in Co Clare. On Sunday, the figure of people without power was at 53,000.
In other Irish news, a survey shows an ongoing crisis in teacher supplies has left countless children in the care of unqualified educators. This is adding more pressure on the existing teachers in the filling of classroom gaps.
Anticipation is growing for an imminent general election, predicted to take place in late November. Taoiseach Simon Harris announced publicly for the first time on Sunday, indicating a potential call for citizens to vote later this year.
According to the Department of Housing, the average cost associated with the construction of a two-bedroomed flat in Dublin is nearing €600,000; currently standing at €592,000.
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan is set to seek government approval for Dublin’s next Luas line, which could service an estimated 60,000 Finglas residents by 2031.
Lastly, the weather forecast reports the end of Storm Ashley with normal wind speeds returning from Monday. The majority of areas will enjoy a dry start to the day, peppered with sunshine and occasional showers. Rain from the west will however lead to cloudier conditions by the afternoon. The country can expect temperatures ranging between 12 to 15 degrees. Night time temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees will ensue with continuous rain spreading eastward.
The condition of customer service in Ireland is deteriorating, says Conor Pope based on an annual report published early this month.
Travel Section:
Gran Canaria is more than just sun, sea, and sandy beaches, it’s a perfect getaway, especially for those seeking some late-season sunlight, writes Arlene Harris as the days are getting darker and colder.
Business news:
Pilita Clark talks about the tendency of people turning up in offices, despite being down with cold or flu. She wonders why even after the pandemic made people cautious of workplace germs, there’s still a lack of proper handle on it.
In Sports updates:
Post-Olympics phase, athletes experience a tough comedown. After years of preparation and purpose, many athletes are left uncertain about what’s next.
Global news:
Israel reports overnight attacks on numerous Beirut and southern Lebanon sites used by Hizbullah for funding its operations. Hundreds of Beirut residents reportedly fled their homes following multiple explosions in the Lebanese capital.
Podcasting:
Discusses whether Ukraine’s victory plan could be implemented or not with a runtime of 26:40.