Motorists warned of hazards after snowfalls

Snowfall caused hazardous driving conditions in parts of the midlands, east, in Border areas and in the North today.

Snowfall caused hazardous driving conditions in parts of the midlands, east, in Border areas and in the North today.

Motorists were warned that the M7 between Portlaoise, Co Laois and Newbridge, Co Kildare was extremely dangerous after heavy snowfall today.

AA Roadwatch said the M4 in Counties Kildare and Meath was also dangerous. It said conditions were very poor in both directions on the road between junction eight at Kilcock and junction nine at Enfield.

In Monaghan, heavy snowfall was reported on the Cootehill to Stranooden Road which was impassable and in Co Cavan gardai said there were very dangerous conditions throughout the county. The Cross Keys to Cavan Road which runs through Blackbull and Pullakeel was closed following a collision.

READ MORE

Extremely icy road conditions and snowfall were reported throughout Co Meath and in Co Wicklow. Motorists were warned to avoid the Sally Gap.

Many areas of the North were also hit by heavy snowfall today. The PSNI said the Camlock Road between Beleek and Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh and around Kilkeel, Co Down were particularly badly hit.

As temperatures plummeted around the country, bookies Paddy Power were quick to slash the odds on a white Christmas. The bookmaker said the odds on a single snow flake falling in Dublin on Christmas Day are now just 4/1.

Boyalsports is offering odds of 5/1 for a white Christmas in Dublin and 5/1 in Belfast, while a white Christmas in London this year is 6/1.

The last time bookies paid out on a White Christmas was in 2004 when Dublin woke to a blanket of snow.

Met Éireann said there would be further showers overnight, mainly affecting eastern counties, with the chance of some wintry showers over higher ground. The Met service said it would become very breezy, with lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees, in a strengthening northeasterly wind.

Tomorrow is expected to be windy for a time, with sunny spells and showers, mainly across eastern counties.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times