Transport has been severely disrupted across Ireland today as conditions remain hazardous due to heavy snow and frozen roads.
Motorists have again been advised not to drive unless it is absolutely necessary. A number of Dublin bus services have tonight been curtailed tonight because of difficult driving conditions.
The chairman of the Government’s emergency planning taskforce, Seán Hogan, said people were heeding its advice to use public transport, while representatives from all the major transport operators reported "significant" increases in passenger numbers this week.
Mr Hogan warned of further severe weather to come and urged people to check on elderly neighbours, avoid unnecessary journeys and clear snow outside their home and work premises where possible.
Met Éireann spokeswoman Evelyn Cusack said the adverse weather is set to worsen tomorrow with temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 9 or minus 10 degrees.
"We are not expecting a huge frost on the east coast tonight so temperatures will be much better than at the weekend but the colder air will be back tomorrow leading to a resumption of the very severe conditions across the country tomorrow evening," she said.
Road conditions in Dublin are much worse than yesterday. There are reports of particularly bad conditions and delays on the N11 Stillorgan road from Morehampton road all the way out to Foxrock. The road has been treated, but motorists are still advised to take extra care.
Particular care is needed in Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Templeogue, and also on Northumberland Rd through Mount Street.
Traffic is reportedly moving very slowly on the M50 from Leopardstown/Sandyford to Firhouse.
AA Roadwatch said roads in and around Stillorgan and Dundrum were very slippery and that Kilmacud Road Upper was closed from Main Street past the Garda station as conditions were dangerous.
Gardaí are advising care on the M1 Dublin/Belfast Road through Co Louth. Icy conditions have been reported between Drogheda and Julianstown and on the Old Dunleer/Drogheda Road at Maiden Cross.
Higher ground and mountainous areas in Wicklow should be avoided. The Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap are impassable, and the Roundwood/Laragh Road (R755) is also very poor. In Co Wexford, conditions are extremely icy in Gorey, Enniscorthy and Bunclody and on all secondary routes and back roads.
There has been heavy overnight snowfall in Tullamore, Co Offaly, and dense fog in parts, while the Conor Pass in Kerry is impassable.
The N63/Athleague/Roscommon Road and N61/Roscommon/Athlone Road are both impassable. Snow is currently in Galway and care is needed on the Coast Road from Oranmore.
Motorists travelling on the N2 Dublin/Monaghan Rd through Co Meath have been advised that the road is nearly impassable at Kilmoon Cross, impasasable through Slane and also through Collon in Co Louth.
In Westmeath, drivers are advised not to make any unnecessary journeys as fresh snowfall is causing major problems around Athlone and Mullingar.
Motorists are urged to avoid driving on higher ground and mountainous areas in Co Wicklow. The N81 at Baltinglass is treacherous, secondary roads around Arklow are poor. The Sally Gap & Wicklow Gap are impassable.
Séan O'Neill of the National Roads Authority said some major routes were being gritted two or three times a day at the moment.
"Every road in the country is not going to be salted," Mr O'Neill stressed. "The focus is on ensuring primary and major secondary roads remain clear."
Bus Éireann and Irish Rail services passing through Athlone are experiencing severe delays. Trains from Galway and Westport are running late as a result.
Adverse conditions are reported in Waterford city, and motorists are advised to take extra care in parts of Co Cork, particularly in Ballingeary and Inchigeelagh.
In Monaghan, roads are particularly bad around Emyvale, Scottstown and Clones while in Co Donegal, icy conditions are reported on the N15 Donegal/Ballybofey Road at Barnesmore Gap.
The 8.45am and 2.30pm Dublin to Holyhead Dublin Swift sailings were cancelled as were the return 12.00pm and 5.15pm journeys. All passengers will be accommodated on the Irish Ferries Ulysses cruise ferry. For further information, passengers should contact Irish Ferries central reservations on 0818 300 400.
A number of Stena Line services have also been cancelled or delayed.
The 1.15pm Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead ferry was cancelled. Stena Line services from Larne to Fleetwood in Scotland are all delayed by as much as eight hours, but the Rosslare to Fishguard and Belfast to Stranraer services are sailing as scheduled.
There are a number of curtailments to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services. Intending passengers should check www.dublinbus.ie and www.buseireann.ie for up to date information.
Most airports are operating as normal, but Dublin airport earlier reported a number of flight delays and cancellations.
There are no reports of delays on either the green or red line Luas services.
Many schools around the country are closed due to the adverse weather. A full list of those school closures can be found at www.schooldays.ie
Eircom said this afternoon the severe weather conditions are affecting its services with 4,600 faults logged today, of which 1,000 are for the greater Dublin area. The worst impacted areas in terms of service disruptions are in Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow and in Dublin city.
Feedback from repair technicians indicate lightning damage to internal wiring, master sockets and modems as the most common problem. Eircom crews cleared over 1,200 faults yesterday, the company said.