Heavy snowfall across the east of Ireland is continuing to cause problems for motorists with a number of roads impassable or hazardous. The weather has also caused damage to electricity networks. Flights out of Dublin Airport and sailings from Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Rosslare have been cancelled.
Northern Ireland is experiencing the worst of the conditions with a number of roads impassable. In separate incidents this afternoon, two men were airlifted to hospital after emergency services were unable to gain access to their homes in south Co Down by road.
Northern Ireland Electricity has been criticised for failing to carry out repairs quickly enough. Around 60,000 homes were without electricity at the start of the day and several thousand will be without power tonight.
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Snow in Temple Bar
Photo: Greg Meylan |
Around 8,000 people will be without electricity in Co Louth, north Co Dublin and parts of Co Wicklow overnight after repair workers suspended their work for safety reasons. The ESB had restored supplies to over 15,000 people throughout the day.
Roads in Co Louth and Co Wicklow are impassable in high ground and a number of side roads are extremely dangerous.
A spokeswoman for Dublin Airport says it hopes to reopen late this evening. Currently it is accepting some incoming flights though flights out of the airport have not begun at this time.
Bus services are delayed in parts of the country though both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus say services are operating.
Freezing conditions tonight are likely to make roads extremely dangerous overnight, particularly in the North. Gardaí and the RUC have warned motorists to be extremely cautious.