CONTINUING FREEZING conditions across the country today will make driving, walking and even standing on the street hazardous, authorities have warned.
Sleet and snow are expected to add to hardship in rural and upland areas, with up to 10cm of snow falling on high ground. Showers will be mainly confined to southeast Ulster, east Leinster and east Munster, with wintry showers on Atlantic coasts.
While many areas may get sunshine this morning, authorities have warned people to be extremely careful while driving.
In Dublin, Dublin Bus suspended services from 9pm last night, while Bus Éireann services in some areas were also reduced. Andrew McAlinden for Bus Éireann said problems arose because roads were so cold that snow was freezing as it hit the ground.
Both transport companies expected some curtailments this morning, with passengers advised to log on to either www.dublinbus.ie or www.buseireann.ie for updates. Iarnród Éireann said it was expecting all services to be operating this morning.
The severe weather has also led to transport problems in Ulster, with Belfast International Airport closed until 7pm last night and cancellations and delays on a number of routes in and out of Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport.
Dublin airport was open, as was Cork and Shannon, but passengers were advised to check with their carrier for latest details today.
Dublin City Council said heavy volumes of snow were sliding off roofs. It warned people, particularly smokers standing outside pubs, restaurants and other buildings, to avoid standing or walking under roofs. Pedestrians should not walk with hands in their pockets and should not make mobile phone calls while walking.
It said it appreciated the efforts made by people clearing snow from driveways and outside their homes and businesses.
The HSE said people falling on ice had led to a 50 per cent increase in numbers turning up at AE units.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said he expected difficult travel conditions to persist until at least Thursday morning. He repeated that Minister for the Environment John Gormley had set aside an extra €15 million for local authorities.
However, many local authorities have said they are running low on salt for spreading on roads.
Almost a full year’s supply of salt has been used nationally since the current cold spell began. Some side roads have been effectively closed to traffic for almost a week.
Mr Dempsey said it was not possible to clear every road.
“It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it is. We don’t have the manpower to do that.”
However, Fine Gael transport spokesman Simon Coveney said thousands of people struggled with problems on nearly all routes.
“The question must be asked of the Government: has it learned nothing at all from the chaos during the big freeze last January.”
There were calls to conserve water in Dublin and Galway, while Wicklow County Council advised it was shutting off mains overnight.