Treesdownafter hurricaneOphelia
THE Ophelia clean up operation in Drogheda began as soon as the strong winds abated with fallen trees the main cause of disruption throughout the region.
While Louth escaped the worst of the high winds and severe damage, a number of areas in the locality were left without power and some roads were impassable as a result of fallen trees.
The golf course road and Townley Manor in Tullyallen was left without power for several hours, while Littlegrange, Monasterboice, Sheepgrange and many houses in Drybridge were also affected by outages.
The road between Nursery Cross and Tullyallen village was closed due to a live wire across the road.
A number of trees were also blown over during the storm, including a 170 year old beech tree at the home of Christopher, Debbie and Guy O’Brien-Lynch in Stameen. Thankfully, the tree fell into the garden rather than outwards onto the busy Dublin Road.
A number of roads were also left impassable after fallen trees created barriers for local motorists.
A very large tree fell on the Seapoint Road and there was also a tree down at Donors Greenon the Drogheda to Baltray Road which blocked the road for a number of hours.
The Marsh Road was also blocked for a time after a tree fell and motorists were warned to be careful after a tree blew over on a bad bend on the R152 between Duleek and Keenogue.
Two local businesses have also been singled out for praise after offering shelter to any homeless people at their premises on Monday during the worst of the storm.
The owner of Southgate Barbers drove around the town on Sunday night, offering shelter for the following day to anyone sleeping rough in the town.
And there was even a free haircut thrown in as the barbers looked after Joshua from the Boyne Tower, providing him with a a new haircut and clothes before putting him in touch with Drogheda Homeless Aid.
Owner Darren also paid tribute to the Glenside Hotel who had been in touch and offered rooms to those in need on Monday night.
Likewise, the proprietors of Casanova Italian restaurant were praised by customers and the public for their generous offer of shelter to anyone who needed it during the storm.
IN a post on their Facebook page the Casanova Restaurant team said: ‘Restaurant door is open for any homeless people from Drogheda or around looking for a place to hide from the storm. Our staff will provide you with food and hot drinks free of charge.
Louth County Council confirmed it received 444 calls in relation to incidents associated with storm Ophelia.