Storm Callum brings high winds and choppy seas but warnings downgraded

Storm Callum weather warnings in Ireland have been downgraded, but severe conditions continue to cause havoc as they sweep across the country.

Gusts of 124km/h (77mph) were recorded at Belmullet in Co Mayo on Friday morning as the storm battered the west of Ireland.

More than 30,000 homes and businesses were left without power across the island.

Several flights were cancelled out of Dublin and Belfast due to the storm on Friday morning, but airports were otherwise operating as normal.

Met Eireann said an orange weather alert would remain in place until 5pm on Friday for counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, but the forecaster lifted the warning for the rest of Ireland on Friday morning.

An orange warning had been in place for all coastal counties across the Republic and Met Eireann had earlier warned of potential risk to life and property.

Network operator ESB reported multiple faults, with counties Cork, Kerry and Donegal among the worst hit.

The operator issued a warning via Twitter for people to be careful if they come across any fallen trees and to be aware that there may also be downed power cables.

In Northern Ireland, about 1,000 homes and businesses experienced power loss.

The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland.