OVER 25,000 homes, businesses and schools remain without power, 11 days on from Storm Eowyn.

ESB Networks have confirmed that approximately 25,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses are still without power, while around 400 premises have no water.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group’s latest update said restoration works are continuing on the worst impacted areas.

This is being aided by crews from Austria, Finland, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

ESB’s Regional Manager Siobhán Wynne told RTE’s News at One that the number of schools without power should be smaller by tomorrow.

She said there are around 150 schools still impacted, with the figure “greatly reduced this morning”.

She said: “We are hopeful that as of tomorrow morning, it will only be a small number of schools that will be impacted.”

However, she noted that it is currently difficult to give an exact date as to when all customers will see a restoration.

She added that she expects this could be by the middle of the week.

She said: “In the coming days after that, we will restore power to the remaining customers by the end of this week.”

Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford and Roscommon have been confirmed to be the worst-hit areas in Ireland, all with areas without power.

And dozens of customers in the worst-hit areas of the country have been left furious by the lack of power as we approach day 12.

One said: “I still have no power and the trees that pulled down the ESB lines haven’t even been removed yet!

“A whole forest down behind me!! God knows when it’ll be sorted!”

Another said: “12 days after a storm and Kildare still has intermittent power cuts of three hours long and no reason given by ESB networks or any pre warning.

‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’

“This is like a third world country as your customers, it’s not good enough at all!

A third said: “Day 11. No electricity. No phone reception. No Internet. And not a single ESB worker to be seen in the area in literally the entire 11 days.”

Another added: “We’re still out of power and water and the esb guys literally told us we aren’t priority so not to expect it back before Friday.”

In Northern Ireland, electricity supplier NIE Networks said there are now less than 1,000 people without power, most located in Co Fermanagh.

They said all power supply should be back tonight.

It is estimated that it could be the end of the week before power is fully restored to the outstanding affected customers in the 26 counties.

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EMMA RADUCANU has been warned over appointing a new coach.

The tennis star is still on the hunt for a new coach after parting ways with Nick Cavaday after 14 months together.

AFP

Emma Raducanu is currently without a coach[/caption]

Getty

Laura Robson has warned Raducanu over her next appointment[/caption]

Cavaday stepped down from the role for his health and to spend more time at home.

Raducanu, 22, has been urged not to rush into a decision over a new trainer.

The warning has come from Laura Robson, who insisted that the British No.2 must get the “right person”.

She said: “I don’t think she’s going to rush into it.

“Just from an outsider’s point of view, I don’t think she would want to rush into it.

“It’s got to be the right person because I know if she goes for someone and then ends up changing them again quickly, everyone will go nuts.”

Raducanu is currently working with fitness coach Yutaka Nakamura and the temporary Roman Kelecic in Abu Dhabi.

Robson, 31, believes that Raducanu can take her time and rely on Nakamura for the time being.

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She added: “So I think it’s more important she finds the right thing for her.

“And she’s got Yutaka with her and he’s got huge experience out on tour.

“Also he can hit a bit of a ball as well. I mean, he can have a rally, you wouldn’t rely on that.

“If he tried to tell you something about your forehand you wouldn’t think ‘Right, what’s he talking about?’”

The world No.56 seems to be taking the approach suggested by Robson, as she has already insisted that she will be patient when making her decision.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open, she said: “It’s a decision that I want to take my time with.

“I think that’s why I haven’t necessarily jumped into something straight away, because I want to make sure it’s a right fit.

“And I think this period where I don’t necessarily have someone is going to tell me a lot. It’s going to teach me a lot, what I want, what I don’t want to look for in the next person.

“So I think I’m using this time period to just figure out what I really value.

“I’m not too sure yet right now. I haven’t come to any plans or decisions.”

MOST people know that giving up alcohol will be good for their health.

But the benefits of going booze-free can surface far quicker than you might think.

Some positives occur in as little as 60 minutes, while others can take months but will last a lifetime.

From clear skin to weight loss and better quality sleep – it’s pretty much all good news for your mind and body.

Karen Tyrell, CEO at Drinkaware, tells Sun Health: “Every unit you reduce your alcohol intake by helps.

“You’ll no longer suffer hangovers, and you’ll likely sleep better as regular drinking disrupts your sleep cycle.

“It affects the quality of it, making you feel tired and sluggish during the day, so when you stop, you’ll have more energy across the week.

“It can also lead to improvements in how you look. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can cause your skin and eyes to look dull, so when you cut down or quit altogether, you’ll start to look healthier.

“When looking at the longer-term benefits, your liver will thank you.

“It’s a resilient organ which can recover after damage, so giving it a break allows it a chance to repair.

“Importantly, the more you drink on a regular basis, the greater your risk of serious health problems, including weight gain, several cancers and heart and liver disease.”

Feeling inspired? If you’re cutting back this year – or you’ve decided to give up alcohol for good – here’s what you can expect over the coming hours, days, weeks and months…

1 hour

As the alcohol leaves your bloodstream (at a rate of about one unit per hour), you may see your speech and balance improve.

4 to 8 hours

Four to eight hours in, you’ll likely be wide awake, or tossing and turning in your sleep.

You may also notice your hands shaking a little, bouts of anxiety, and excessive sweating, according to the Priory Group.

12 hours

The 12-hour mark is when dehydration really kicks in.

Experts say drinking six glasses of wine means losing between 19 and 24 glasses of water, so it’s no wonder you’re extremely thirsty.

You may also have headaches, fatigue, nausea, low mood, increased blood pressure and a raised heart rate.

24 hours

While most of the booze will be out of your system by now, some will remain.

And these remnants will continue to mess with your digestive system – think stomach pain, diarrhoea and constipation.

This period can be dangerous for people reliant on alcohol, the Priory Group warns.

In severe cases, people can develop delirium tremens (DTs), which include seizures, hallucinations and significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure.

2 to 3 days

Now the toxins have cleared from your body completely, your kidneys and other organs should just about return to normal.

But you might feel a bit under the weather, as levels of dopamine (a mood-boosting chemical in the brain) remain low.

You may also notice you’re grumpier than normal – but it’s going to get better.

4 to 5 days

By this point, your bowel movements should be less irregular, your stomach pain should have subsided and the acid in your tummy should have reduced.

Overall, your symptoms should have started to clear.

“The nausea, headaches or tiredness you may have felt the mornings after drinking could be replaced with improved mood, as well as feelings or productivity,” Karen says.

“Because of the way alcohol interferes with your ‘fight or flight’ response, regular drinking can make you more vulnerable to anxiety disorders.

“Alcohol is also a depressant – it alters the delicate balance of chemicals in your brain – so drinking less can improve your overall mental health too.”

However, sleep problems are still common in this stage – so resist the temptation to reach for a drink to help you nod off.

Instead, try things like limiting screen time, having a warm bath or listening to soothing music before bed.

5 to 7 days

Feel-good chemicals should return to normal by day seven, providing a much-needed mood boost and improved slumber.

Hopefully, you’ll also no longer be getting up to pee in the middle of night.

But you may experience very vivid dreams around this time, according to Alcohol Change.

“This could be down to increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep,” the charity says.

“REM is the stage of sleep during which we dream.

“When we drink, REM sleep is suppressed, which is why we’re still so tired the next day, even after an eight-hour slumber.”

2 weeks

Another major benefit is clearer and smoother skin, according to Drinkaware.

Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the skin and eyes, which can cause them to look dull, tired and wrinkled.

Avoiding alcohol means you’re far more hydrated, therefore you’re left with a happier and healthier complexion, Karen says.

Booze also worsens skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, so giving up can bring major improvements.

This can happen within two weeks, as can weight loss due to consuming fewer calories and less frequent acid reflux.

Your liver will also start to repair itself, the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics in Prague, Czech Republic says.

1 month

Research shows just one month without alcohol can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis and obesity.

This is primarily down to blood sugar levels being regulated, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and weight loss.

Karen adds: “Regular drinking is a common cause of high blood pressure and, if left untreated, it can lead to mid-life strokes and heart attacks in the long term.

“Cutting back on the amount you drink each week is a good way to lower high blood pressure and improve your health.”

Your mind will likely also be clearer, resulting in better decision making, more creativity, and improved learning and problem solving.

If you exercise, you may also notice you’re performing better and have fewer headaches as you’re more hydrated, the Priory Group says.

And it’s at this stage that the brain begins to repair some of the damage and shrinkage.

One study by Stanford University in California showed that after six weeks of abstaining from alcohol, brain volume increased by an average of two per cent.

3 months

It just keeps getting better. As well as the previous benefits sticking around, you’ll also have far more energy, time and money.

“If you stop drinking completely, one of the first things you notice should be improved energy levels, better sleep and finding it easier to wake up in the morning,” Karen says.

“Cutting back can also lead to more quality family time, as you may choose to spend time with loved ones instead of when you might normally have a drink.

“Plus, you’ll be surprised by the savings you make financially.

“The average UK household spends £17.60 on alcohol every week – or nearly £1,000 a year – so reducing your drinking can leave you with extra money to spend on other things.”

6 months

Now the bedroom benefits begin.

“Over time, drinking alcohol regularly can cause long-term problems with your sex life and lead to impotence,” Karen says.

“If you’re a man, cutting down on the amount you drink each week can help prevent erectile dysfunction and low libido.

“Drinking may also prevent or delay orgasm.

“Like men, women may find it more difficult to have an orgasm, or find they have orgasms that are less intense after drinking alcohol, so you may see benefits in that area too.”

1 year

After 12 months without alcohol, most people will leave all cravings and withdrawal symptoms behind.

Studies show regularly heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health, so you should have a more positive mindset.

Your energy levels will likely be higher, your sleep better, and your skin, hair and teeth will almost certainly improve.

Another major win of quitting booze can be weight loss.

A pint of lager contains the same number of calories as a slice of pizza, and a large glass of wine the same as an ice cream sundae or a small bar of chocolate, according to Drinkaware.

Down three pints of four per cent lager, and you’ve consumed the same number of calories as two cheeseburgers, the organisation adds.

These ’empty’ calories, plus the food you eat once you’ve had a drink, can mean regular drinkers pile on the pounds.

“Stopping can therefore help get the number on the scales down – and keep it that way,” Karen says.

Stopping drinking could make your life feel brighter in all kinds of ways, as well as helping your long-term health

Karen TyrellDrinkaware

Overall, quitting booze lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, sexual dysfunction, several types of cancer, and gut problems.

“Alcohol can cause seven types of cancer, including of the mouth, throat, liver, bowel and breast, and the more you drink on a regular basis, the greater your risk,” Karen says.

“Alcohol can also have a serious effect on your liver and can lead to chronic liver disease, so giving up reduces this risk in the long-term.

“Research has found that regular heavy alcohol consumption over a long period is associated with a decline in both the number of brain cells and their quality.

“Plus, long-term heavy drinking can damage your heart, arteries or other blood vessels throughout the body.

“This damage is called cardiovascular disease, which caused 175,000 deaths in the UK in 2022.

“It’s one of the most important reasons to not drink more than the UK’s guidelines.”

She adds: “Stopping drinking could make your life feel brighter in all kinds of ways, as well as helping your long-term health.”

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Optical illusions have fascinated researchers and fans of puzzles for years because of a unique challenge that the human brain ...

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LOWER speed limits are set to come into force on Irish roads in just days.

In a bid to lower the risk of accidents and fatalities, speed limits on some roads are being reduced by 25 per cent.

Getty Images - Getty

Speed limits are changing on roads across Ireland this week[/caption]

And drivers who don’t slow could be hit with fines and penalty points from Friday, February 7.

They will be slapped with three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of €160.

What roads are affected?

The changes for rural local roads will mean that current 80km/h limits will be dropped to 60km/h.

In these urban core spots, speed limits will be reduced to 30km/h.

And the speed limit on national secondary roads will also drop from 100km/h to 80km/h.

Motorists will soon spot the new speed limit signs that will have replaced existing ones.

A sign with a white circle and three diagonal black lines will mean that your speed must change from 80km/h to 60km/h.

Drivers in urban areas, which include built up parts as well as housing estates and town centres, will also see speed limit changes later this year.

Why are the speed limits changing?

The phased rollout aims to address the high number of fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads.

A Road Safety Authority (RSA) document revealed that 11 learner drivers were involved in fatal accidents in 2023, the worst year for road deaths in a decade.

This record number compares to the three learner driver deaths reported four years earlier in 2019.

And traffic fatalities have increased by nearly 15 per cent in 2024, with 86 deaths, 11 more than in 2023.

Elena Leao, Marketing & PR spokesperson for AA Ireland, stressed that reducing speed limits is a proven method for saving lives.

She said: “Reducing speed limits is a proven way to save lives.

“These changes reflect a commitment to tackling the factors that contribute to road traffic accidents and fatalities.

“We encourage all drivers to familiarise themselves with the updated speed limits and adapt their driving habits accordingly.”

How are Gardai implementing the speed limits?

To support the new limits, An Garda Síochána will continue using speed checks and advanced detection technology to ensure compliance.

This technology, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) will log the time, date, and location of every vehicle that passes through the entry and exit points.

Drivers who are caught speeding will receive a fixed charge notice.

Once processed, this will result in three penalty points on their licence and a fine of up to €160.

These new cameras are replacing older yellow box models that have been out of action for years, serving as a heads-up to drivers that penalties will be on the way if they exceed the limit.

The AA is now urging drivers to stay alert, follow the new speed limits, and reflect on their driving behaviour.

They added: “Speed limits exist to protect everyone on the road.

“This initiative is a positive step toward creating safer communities and ensuring that we meet the ambitious targets set out in the Road Safety Strategy.”

RONAN O’GARA believes Jack Crowley was “as good as I’ve seen him” for Ireland or Munster during the Six Nations win over England.

The 24-year-old came off the bench for Sam Prendergast as Simon Easterby’s men began their Championship defence with a 27-22 win at the Aviva Stadium.

Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

In the latest chapter of the pair’s battle for the No10 jersey, Crowley impressed enough to be named on the Team of the Round by Midi Olympique.

He was one of three Ireland men named – alongside James Lowe and Dan Sheehan, who came off the bench to score the fourth try.

For Ronan O’Gara, the Munster starlet’s response to being benched for Prendergast showed he “has balls”.

Speaking to Off The Ball Breakfast, O’Gara commented: “He had a big game. He had a huge game.

“As good as I’ve seen him in a red or a green jersey and I just thougyht he was decisive. As a ten that does wonders and it spreads to every one else.

“He had conceded his position and maybe I was probably a bit blunt on that on the show last week on the fact that he has got to accept being the No2 now.

“To do that under pressure is a huge sign of mental strength but also shows that the kid has balls.

“He wants this and he is going to fight for it because I thought he looked shapor, he looked fast, he looked strong, he looked powerful.

“His kicking was good.

“There was just this aura about him where that is the Jack Crowley that I tried to sign a few years ago.”

The debate concerning who should start at out-half against Scotland is sure to rage on for days to come.

However, Sam Prendergast himself believes that the rivalry between the two has made for “healthy competition”.

Prendergast said: “I think it’s quite healthy competition. Jack is a great lad and player. I’ve seen how well he’s played.”

Fans have likened the battle for the Ireland No  10 jersey to Ronan O’Gara’s fight with Johnny Sexton in the 2010s.

But Prendergast insists there are no issues between him and Crowley.

The Leinster hotshot explained: “I think we both work together, as much as people want to think we hate each other. We just work together.

“He’s playing very well and played very well when he came on against England.”

Prendergast started and had some good moments, including a mammoth kick to give Ireland the lead.

However, he missed two conversions. Crowley was introduced and added the extras twice as Ireland’s replacements finished off the game.

But interim head coach Simon Easterby praised Prendergast for his Six Nations debut display.

Easterby said: “He did a lot of really good things out there and there are things he’ll feel he can improve on.”