Tree fell on car in Laois during Storm Ashley with multiple emergency callouts
Laois County Fire and Rescue Service reviews storm damage
A driver of a car has luckily escaped injury in Laois when a tree fell on them during Storm Ashley.
A tree fell on a passing car on the Ballinakill road in Abbeyleix, near Thornberry housing estate on Sunday, October 20.
Met Éireann had placed Laois under a Status Yellow Wind warning but the county was hit by multiple falling trees.
Laois County Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Fire Officer is Anthony Tynan spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live afterwards.
"Thankfully no-one was injured.
"We had 18 calls for trees down on roads across Laois. In some cases roads had to be temporarily closed but all were reopened by the evening.
"It was the first storm of the season, so if a tree is loose it can fall. There are still leaves on the trees too so they are more likely to catch the wind," he explained.
"It shows the value of weather warnings, for people to keep aware and updated on them," he said.
Seven out of the eight Laois fire stations had crews out, putting their chainsaw training to good use to clear the roads.
"They did sterling work, along with Laois County Council roads crews," Assistant CFO Tynan said.