ALL HOMES which lost electricity services during stormy weather overnight have now had their power restored.

About 8,000 homes were thought to have lost power after heavy winds caused damage to the electricity transmission network.

Western counties, predominantly Mayo, were the worst affected by the outages.

Damage had been caused by fallen free branches and flying debris as the country was hit with major winds.

Yesterday’s highest winds were recorded at Belmullet in Co Mayo, where winds reached 63 knots – the equivalent of 116 kilometres per hour.

Even Mullingar and Oak Park in Carlow, the two Met Éireann stations which recorded the lowest peak winds yesterday, recorded gusts of 76 kilometres per hour.

A gale warning remains in place, with west to southwest winds set to reach gale force along all coastal waters, and on the Irish Sea, this evening and tonight.

Motorists travelling today have been warned that any sudden gusts could push their vehicles into another lane, and into the path of forthcoming traffic.

AA Roadwatch also urged drivers to be mindful of fallen or loose debris on roads, and to allow extra braking distances due to inclement weather conditions overnight.