Rail delays and downed trees as Storm Ophelia brings disruption to UK

Storm Ophelia is causing fresh disruption in the UK after three people died and hundreds of thousands were left without power in Ireland.

Recovery efforts are now under way and help is being brought in to restore electricity and clear up after buildings, power lines and transport links were left badly damaged by strong winds.

Officials have warned that repairs could take several days - up to 10 days in the worst-hit areas.

One of those who died has been named as Clare O'Neill - a former oncology nurse who was killed when a tree fell on to her car in County Waterford. She had been due to celebrate her 59th birthday on Tuesday.

Father-of-two Fintan Goss, 33, died in identical circumstances in Ravensdale, Dundalk.

Another man was killed after being injured by a chainsaw while he tried to clear a fallen tree in Cahir, County Tipperary. He has been named as 31-year-old Michael Pyke.

The storm has caused major disruption to power supplies, and 245,000 homes and businesses are still without power in Ireland. A further 4,000 have no electricity in Northern Ireland.

Thousands also remain without internet and telephone services after lines were downed. Some areas were also hit by shortages to water supplies.

Pictures showed roofs being torn off buildings and flooding on coastlines, and fire services reported scores of trees being felled and power lines being blown down on Monday.

More than 130 trees were also cleared from roads on the Isle of Man.

Winds of up to 119mph were recorded as remnants of the hurricane tore through the island.

Some 180 flights were cancelled at Dublin Airport, and passengers using airports in Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cork and Shannon were also advised to check the latest information before travelling.

There has also been extensive disruption on the railways - with Virgin Trains, Northern, ScotRail, TransPennine Express, GWR and Arriva Trains Wales all reporting major delays on some of their routes because of the extreme weather.

With Ophelia moving north, the Met Office has a yellow warning in place for very windy weather across the far southeast of Scotland and parts of northeast England.

Forecasters are warning there could be disruption on the roads, buildings may be damaged and there could be further power cuts.

Ten "be prepared" flood alerts have also been issued by the Environment Agency.

All schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic were closed and will remain shut on Tuesday as officials assess the damage.