Skilled retirees from ESB Networks are also being redrafted to assist.

Power has been restored to 540,000 customers; however some 228,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without supply.

On Monday morning, the Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 undertook the humanitarian operation.

Unite said withholding pay when employees are unable to work could be considered an unauthorised deduction from wages, and therefore unlawful.

340,000 customers are still without power as of Sunday morning.

Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc across Ireland and parts of the UK causing power cuts and widespread damage

Cars clogged up a main road and a car park at a filling station in Kells, Co Meath, on their quest for fuel today.

Power outages at treatment plants and pumping stations continue to impact on supplies across the county.

More than 280,000 homes and businesses were left without power and around 1,800 objects were reported to be obstructing roads

A gust of almost 93mph was recorded in Co Down.

According to the ESB's powercheck map, the places with the most power fault clusters include areas around Kilkenny, Meath, Clare, Longford, and Sligo.

Police said Friday is expected to see the strongest winds in the region since the St Stephen's Day storm in 1998 which caused widespread disruption.

Connacht secretary John Prenty said the multi-million euro structure is fully insured and that they intend to rebuild it

Storm Éowyn is predicted to be one of the 'most dangerous storms' to ever hit Ireland

Most remaining faults which have led to power outages across the country have an estimated repair time of 7pm on Sunday evening.

Met Éireann has issued a series of red warnings for some coastal counties

Met Éireann has upgraded weather warnings to status red for six counties

The severe weather warning will be in place from midnight until 10am on Saturday

Met Éireann has named the second winter storm of the season

Kerry, Leitrim, Sligo, Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Galway are under a status-orange warning until 8pm on Sunday.

The worst of Storm Kathleen appears to be over, but there is still a status yellow warning in place for three counties while 2,000 homes are still without power

With Storm Kathleen set to hit Ireland this weekend, how much do you remember about recent storms?

Rachel Finnegan was flying home from Copenhagen with her husband and son when high winds forced the plane to divert to Manchester

A total of 56 flights were cancelled by airlines at Dublin Airport as of 12pm on Sunday

Public told to expect fallen trees and damage to power lines

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads ahead of Storm Isha lashing Ireland this weekend

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide warning for strong and gusty southwest winds during Sunday

Warnings for wind and rain are in place for the entire country during Storm Gerrit