Record high winds from Storm Eowyn battered Ireland and Northern Ireland on Friday, leaving 560,000 homes and businesses without power and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the closure of schools and public transport.

Status Red weather warnings are now active right across the island of Ireland as the country battles Storm Eowyn's hurricane force winds. More than 500,000 people are without power with more outages expected throughout the day.

Red warnings for wind cover the entirety of Ireland and parts of Scotland as the storm brings staggering winds posing a danger to life. Trains and flights across the UK face cancellation or disruption and schools have been closed.