The government emergency alert is being rolled out across Northern Ireland.

The alert, which is being sent to people in areas with a red weather warning, causes people's phones to blare a siren and show a message urging people to stay indoors from early tomorrow morning.

Earlier the government said the alert would go out at about 6pm, but many people have received it in the last few minutes.

And more closures confirmed now, this time in the court service with the Lady Chief Justice's (LCJ) Office saying that all courthouses in Northern Ireland will be shut.

Court business will either take place remotely, administratively or will be adjourned.

Any emergency or urgent applications during 7am and 2pm tomorrow morning will be referred to the judge, the LCJ adds.

Image source, Getty

While schools are closed tomorrow, there is some concern about what could happen to school buildings during Storm Éowyn.

Dr Graham Gault, of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), told BBC Talkback earlier that there is a £450m maintenance backlog at schools, meaning that many buildings already have repair issues to tackle.

“So when something like this comes up with the possibility of presenting more damage to the already crumbling school estate, that hasn’t had decent investment for many years, it is a big worry.

“We are not really sure what the teaching profession will be going into on Monday morning and we just hope it doesn’t come to pass in the way some predictions are suggesting.”

Image source, Getty Images

We're now hearing more about the emergency alert people will be getting on their phones this evening.

The government are saying that a text alert will be sent to those affected by the red weather warning - mainly Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland - at 6pm.

Phones will make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate, even if they are set on silent.

The alert will go off for about 10 seconds.

"The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the areas at most risk, containing information about the weather warnings and guidance on how to stay safe," a government statement says.

About 4.5 million people will get the emergency alert in the "largest real life use of the tool to date".

We've just heard from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) ahead of Storm Éowyn, which has confirmed that all vehicle tests - including MOTs, practical and theory tests - on Friday are cancelled.

It said the Driver and Vehicles Agency (DVA) will contact those affected via email as son as possible.

Meanwhile, the department also confirmed that the Strangford Ferry service will be suspended from 7.30am until further notice, while all Rathlin Ferry sailings on Friday are also cancelled.

The DfI says river and sea levels are being monitored and will continue until the weather warnings are over.

Image source, PA Media

Education Minister Paul Givan says closing schools is the “right decision” in light of Storm Éowyn.

He says he sought to notify schools and parents after the danger to life warning was issued “as soon as possible”.

“It is difficult because we do want to have our children in school, it’s where they best learn… but this is a very unique event,” he tells BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme.

“It is rare that we would get a red weather warning in Northern Ireland and I think we then need to respond appropriately to that, so I think this is the right decision.”

Asked about the potential damage to school buildings, Givan says he has an emergency response in place ready to ensure those schools affected could open as quickly as possible.

He urged people to take “whatever measures necessary” to keep safe.

“We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best," he adds.

You can listen to Evening Extra live on BBC Sounds or by pressing the 'Listen Live' button at the top of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

There will be be no Translink buses or trains operating in Northern Ireland from Friday morning until early afternoon, Translink has confirmed.

The cancellations will be in place until the red weather warning lifts at 2pm.

The firm's director of service operations, Ian Campbell, says this decision to cancel services "is necessary to ensure the safety of all our customers and employees".

He adds that the services that are running tomorrow will also likely be impacted by the storm as well as by any damage to road and rail routes or by fallen trees and debris.

He says passengers should check Translink's website or social channels for all the latest updates.

Anyone with a booking on a cancelled service will get a refund.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

When you get two press conferences from our top ministers in the space of only three hours, something very serious is happening.

Just as weather events can evolve quickly, so too has advice to our politicians, with the PSNI now leading the response and scaling up their plans.

Both the executive and police have to manage this carefully, trying to avoid creating a sense of panic but ensuring all precautions are taken.

They're relying on people listening to their advice with hopes that the damage will be limited, but bracing themselves and all agencies for potentially a very difficult 24 hours.

Image source, Getty Images

The Northern Ireland Assembly says that given the warning of very dangerous conditions and widespread disruption, and in line with the guidance from the Executive to stay at home if possible, the decision has been taken to close Parliament Buildings tomorrow.

ACC Beck says agency efforts in preparation for the storm will carry on up until the last minute.

"I say to people don't take risks, particularly around the coastal areas etc," he adds.

"We don't want people to go to watch the waves crashing against the shore etc.

"Stay at home and stay safe and people can play a significant part in helping us with that.

Speaking to the assembled press he adds: "And journalists please stay safe as well, don't go looking for that shot."

Image source, BBc

The first minister says that there "is a danger in thinking that this is just like any other storm and it'll impact us in just the same way that storms previously have, that not necessarily the case".

She adds that while previous storms may have been focused on coastal areas this one could come more inland.

She says that agencies are working on preparation but adds it's "very hard to plan for everything".

Emma Little-Pengelly says that the situation is "likely to evolve."

"Although we hope that it won't be as bad as predicated, it is vital that we prepare for the worst but hope for the best."

ACC Beck says the PSNI has been liaising with the health department and trusts.

"They will be advising people as to potential attendance," he adds,

"I expect that routine, planned elective surgery and outpatient appointments will be impacted, but people should be advised by the trusts in advance.

"It will have an impact on those services."

"The information is very clear, between those hours, particularly of the red alert, people are advised not to travel," says the deputy first minister.

She adds that there will "of course be emergency situations" but to contact emergency services if so.

The first minister says she believes that having two different weather alert systems on the island of Ireland, Met Éireann and the Met Office, "causes confusion for citizens".

She says they are currently "focused on the operational to the actual storm", but adds they should "always look" to improve things going forward.

ACC Beck says no one agency can deal with a major incident alone and that it was bringing together resources from across government agencies and the voluntary sector.

"This is going to be really challenging and something we have not experienced for some significant time, but by declaring it a major incident, we bring the efforts of all those agencies," he adds.

He says they are maximising all available resources and that the PSNI has cancelled all non-essential activity tomorrow

He says the civil contingencies plan has kicked in.

The first minister says people who have GP appointments should check in with their GP this afternoon.

She adds that if anyone was planning to collect a prescription tomorrow, they should try to get it today or leave it until after the weather alerts are over.

She said that individual trusts are "working through their systems at the moment in terms of hospital appointments".

She says that emergency services will still be available but it "will be very difficult even for those services in the height of the storm".

Emma Little-Pengelly adds: "We want to ensure that any information coming through the NI government website and through our official social media sites, will be the official information."

"We will endeavour to update that as quickly as possible.

"It is important to keep an eyes on these," she says.

The first minister says that an emergency alert will got out on people's phones later this afternoon but adds people shouldn't wait for it.

"Our message is loud and clear, plan now prepare now, cancel things now, don't wait for an alert on your phone."

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck says members of the public are advised to take all necessary precautions to keep themselves safe.

"A red weather warning is rare, it means there is a risk to life and the public should not travel during this time," he says.

"This storm represents an exceptional weather event and is expected to bring sustained wind speeds of up to and above 100mph across Northern Ireland."

He says it had been declared a major incident and the message is to stay indoors and stay safe.