Weather updates from around the country
NORTH
A RECORD low temperature of -18.6 degrees has been recorded in Co Tyrone as the freeze continued to cause disruption throughout Northern Ireland.
Local authority leisure and other centres were being prepared to provide shelter for those forced from their homes due to absence of heat, water and electricity.
The low temperature was recorded in Castlederg early yesterday, the British Met Office confirmed, and beat the previous record of -18 degrees recorded on Monday, also in Castlederg.
While there was gritting of main roads, conditions remained hazardous around the North.
Numerous minor accidents on treacherous roads added to the disruption. The North’s three airports – Belfast International at Aldergrove, George Best Belfast City and Derry – were open as they attempted to deal with the backlog of flights in and out of the North.
Plumbers were busy with frozen and burst pipes and damaged heating systems. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive had to deal with 10,000 calls from tenants seeking help.
DUP Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots said his department was liaising with councils to ensure provision of emergency help and shelter.
SDLP Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood announced that a new round of cold weather payments of £25 (€29) was triggered by the freeze. The payment will go to social welfare recipients living in areas that have endured seven days of sub-zero temperatures.
GERRY MORIARTY
WEST
The main N5 artery into Co Mayo near Tulsk, Co Roscommon, was blocked for several hours in the morning after a lorry jackknifed.
As road conditions remained chaotic in many parts of the west, Mayo County Council announced primary routes would be salted and gritted on Christmas Day.
Despite attention from snowploughs and gritters, a section of the N5 between Ballyvary and Swinford has remained dangerous for motorists for more than a week.
The county secretary pointed out salt was effective only when temperatures remained above -8 but values as low as -17.2 had been recorded locally.
TOM SHIEL
MIDLANDS
Main roads throughout the midlands remained open as local authorities treated priority routes.
Water problems persisted in many parts of the midlands and Westmeath and Longford County Council have increased the number of standpipes.
A low of -8.7 degrees was recorded in Mullingar yesterday.
Diversions remained in place in Athlone around St Mary’s Place where a fire on Wednesday caused substantial damage to a pub and adjoining auctioneers.
The Kinnitty Mountrath road remained closed in Co Offaly where the council said employees would work over Christmas to keep roads clear and ensure minimum water-supply disruption.
Priority routes in Laois have been gritted but ice patches present a danger to motorists.
Offaly County Council will provide water at locations around the county for those whose pipes are frozen pipes. Water will be made available on Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day. The list of locations can be found on offaly.ie.
EOGHAN MacCONNELL
NORTH WEST
Values dropped so low in parts of the northwest that salt has become ineffective on some roads. Supplies have been arriving after councils were forced to limit coverage to primary and secondary routes.
Vincent Lynn, senior engineer with Donegal County Council, said that with temperatures dropping as low as -13 degrees on roads between Letterkenny and Ballybofey, even treated roads remain treacherous.
STEPHEN MAGUIRE