Man killed in Storm Amy Donegal ‘weather-related incident’ pictured

A man who died in a “weather-related incident” in Ireland^[1] has been named and pictured locally.

Tommy Connors, in his 40s, tragically passed away on Friday. It is understood that Mr Connors, from Letterkenny in County Donegal, died after a fall from a shed roof. Mr Connors died at the scene of the incident at a domestic dwelling house, according to reports.

An Garda Síochána said they were treating the incident as weather-related. Mr Connors’ body was removed to the morgue at Letterkenny University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. Gardaí continue to carry out enquiries and say the results of the post-mortem will determine the course of those enquiries.

A file will be prepared for the coroner, a spokesperson added. Tributes are being paid across social media for the late Mr Connors, who was well-known in the Letterkenny area, the Irish Mirror^[3] reported.

The tragedy happened during the Status Red weather^[4] warning around 4.15pm on Friday afternoon. The highest-level warning was in place for Donegal between 4pm and 6pm yesterday. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and NIE Networks said that there were hundreds of thousands without power across the island at the height of the storm’s impact.

That number had fallen significantly by Saturday night, with official updates calculating approximately 11,000 properties still without power in the Republic of Ireland and 9,000 in Northern Ireland. An ESB spokesman said it could be the “early part of next week” before all customers have their power restored, while NIE Networks also said it could be Monday evening “at the latest”.

The ESB said the worst affected areas were in counties Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway and Mayo. While the west and north-west bore the brunt of the storm, crews were responding to incidents across the island which posed different challenges.

In one callout, ESB crews were sent to Balbriggan in Co Dublin where a line had been taken down by a fallen ash tree. Speaking to the PA news agency during the clean-up operation there, network technician Mark Lennon said: “It hasn’t been so bad. Weather-wise it has been a bit rough and the winds are still picking up a bit – but we’re getting there.” He added: “Everyone should be back on by tomorrow.”

Asked for his advice to those affected by the storm, Mr Lennon said: “Everyone we have been dealing with so far has been very patient, they understand it’s been challenging. If you see lines down, completely stay clear and ring our emergency number 1800 372 999, and we’ll respond 24/7.”

Storm Amy brought gusts of up to 148kmh (91mph) and sustained winds of 94kmh (59mph) in the most exposed coastal areas. On Saturday, a status orange wind warning was put in place for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo between 4am and 8am.

A yellow-level warning for wind and rain in those counties expired at midday. Also expired at midday were separate yellow-level wind warnings for Dublin, Louth and Wicklow as well as Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow-level rain warning for the entire region which came into effect on Friday lapsed at noon. This is followed by the expiration of a yellow wind warning for all Northern Ireland counties at midnight.

The PSNI continued to urge caution as the storm recovery phase got under way. A spokesperson said: “Storm Amy clean-up operations will be intensifying this morning as multiple agencies work to restore the power, water and transport networks for all users across Northern Ireland.”