A group of 60 Italian tourists had to be rescued by gardaí last night when their tour buses became bogged down in heavy snow and ice in the Wicklow Gap.
The two buses became stuck in the frozen ground shortly before 6 p.m. yesterday. Gardaí, with the assistance of local people in 4x4 jeeps, had to lift the tourists from the buses to bring them to safety. No one was injured, but the buses will not be moved until some time today when, it is hoped, the ground thaws.
Snowploughs had to be called into action in the north-west yesterday after snowfalls of up to 10 centimetres blocked roads across much of north Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
Most main roads were passable last night, however driving conditions remained hazardous on many back roads, gardaí said, following what was the heaviest snowfall so far this winter.
County council gritters and snowploughs began clearing roads in Sligo from 5 a.m. yesterday. While most roads were in reasonable condition by lunchtime, caution was urged for drivers taking the N16 to Manorhamilton last night.
In Donegal, the council's full fleet of 22 gritters was pressed into operation, particularly on high ground where eight to 10cm of snow fell, according to Met Éireann.
The back roads in north Donegal were still "slippy" yesterday evening, gardaí in Letterkenny said, but most areas were accessible.
"The salters were out, so that took care of the main roads and hopefully it will hold overnight," a Garda spokesman said.
While most of the roads in Leitrim were passable by afternoon, the snow was slow to thaw in the north of the county and driving remained hazardous in isolated inland areas, gardaí said.
"The roads are slushy and the thawing is very slow, we had a good smattering of snow, but most places are passable with caution," gardaí at Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, said.
Gardaí in the three counties said there were no serious road accidents because of the icy conditions. However there were minor incidents in the early hours of yesterday morning due to skidding. Gardaí have urged motorists to continue to drive slowly.
AA Roadwatch said there were no serious traffic problems, but driving conditions were treacherous in many north-western areas.
