Heavy snowfalls causing major traffic disruption

Heavy snowfalls that left much of Ireland covered in a white blanket this morning have caused major traffic disruption.

Driving conditions are extremely hazardous in many parts of the country, particularly in east Leinster, as snow and ice made roads treacherous.

Gardaí and the AA advised against unnecessary journeys in midland, western and eastern counties because of dangerous conditions.

Secondary routes in all areas are said to be treacherous.

Motorists have been warned of particularly dangerous conditions across Dublin and in Cos Laois, Westmeath,

Louth, Carlow, Meath and Kildare. Many roads in parts of Cos Wicklow, Wexford, Galway, Sligo, Roscommon and Cavan are also said to be extremely slippery. Extreme care is advised in parts of Limerick city and county and Cos Kerry and Clare.

Dublin airport suspended all flights for a period this due to the adverse weather. The airport re-opened for operations at 10.30am. However, a number of flights, particularly to airports in Britain, have been cancelled.

Dublin Airport Authority spokeswoman Siobhán Moore said de-icing crews were working to clear the runways but warned intending passengers to to contact their airline before travelling.

There were no major disruptions at Cork and Shannon airports.

Dublin Bus has restored limited services on the main corridors in the capital. However, no buses are running to and from the suburbs.

Iarnród Éireann said rail services from Connolly station have resumed following disruption due to multiple points faults. Northern commuter and Belfast services are running again, with minor delays, after being suspended.

All Dart services are now running following work rectify faults that caused the suspension of northside Dart trains this morning.

Rail services between Limerick and Ennis are currently suspended due to flooding on the line. Bus transfers are in operation.

Due to bad road conditions, a number of Bus Éireann services to and from the Leinster region are currently cancelled, delayed or disrupted. Services out of Dublin resumed this afternoon, with the exception of Sligo and Ballina routes. These services are affected by road conditions in Longford.

Local services from Wicklow are not currently operating. Services from Kildare are running, but are delayed. Services on the Dublin to Ashbourne route are not operating. There is also disruption to some city services in Cork where diversions are in place.

Dublin Port Company said this afternoon that the port remains open and all berths are fully operational. There has been no disruption to arrivals and departures at the port as a result of the adverse weather conditions and all ship movements are expected to continue as normal.

Met Éireann said snow showers would die out in Leinster later in the day but will become more frequent in the northwest, with temperatures ranging from -1C to 4C.

Snow showers will persist tonight in northern and western parts of both Ulster and Connacht but elsewhere will be dry and mostly clear.

Widespread severe or very severe ground frost will set in tonight, with temperatures expected to range between -3 and -9 degrees Celsius. There will be light to moderate, northwest winds but it will be mainly calm in the west and southwest.

The icy temperatures are forecast to continue into next week.