Motorists urged to exercise caution

Motorists in the east of the country are being urged to drive with extreme care today as bad weather continues to make driving…

Motorists in the east of the country are being urged to drive with extreme care today as bad weather continues to make driving conditions difficult.

Drivers are warned there may be slippery patches on the roads following earlier snow showers.

In Dublin, roads are wet following earlier snowfall in the Stepaside, Dundrum and Glencullen areas according to AA Roadwatch. There is flooding on River Road between Ashtown and the Glasnevin industrial estate. However, traffic can pass on one side.

In Meath, he Kells/Oldcastle Road is closed at Patrickstown due to flooding and snow on the road.

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In Wicklow, there are slushy road conditions around Roundwood. Gardaí are urging motorists to avoid the Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap.

The Irish Ferries 2.30pm swift sailing on the Dublin to Holyhead route has been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. All tickets are valid on the Cruise ferry sailing departing at 8.55pm.

The Stena Line 1.15pm express sailing on the Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead route has been cancelled today and tomorrow ue to bad weather.

Met Éireann say there will be further outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow, heavy in places today. There will be rain and snow tonight, persistent in the east, but turning showery in the west with some good dry periods developing. The weather forecaster says it will be cold and windy everywhere, with temperatures close to zero.

In Northern Ireland, conditions were particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera and between Derry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass. There have also been reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore.

Around 15,000 households were without electricity as gales battered several parts in the North tonight, the PSNI said.

Strong winds, torrential rain and snow wreaked havoc with the network and motorists were facing misery on the roads.

An arterial route from Belfast to Newtownards was partly blocked by a fallen tree and traffic on the
motorways was very slow.

Around 200 additional engineers, linesmen, call agents and admin staff were reinforcing the normal
capability to restore supplies at Northern Ireland Electricity.

A spokeswoman said: "Gale force winds brought down lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults.

"The network in the Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon areas experienced the most damage." Road conditions were particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera and between Derry and Dungiven on the Glenshane Pass.

A PSNI spokesman said: "As snowfall and heavy rain are affecting a number of routes, motorists are urged to reduce their speed and drive to suit the conditions".

Colin Brown, of the Roads Service, said they expected the weather to get worse throughout the day.

"We are getting geared up for difficult day of rain turning to snow as we progress through the day and into the afternoon and evening."

Forecasters have issued a severe weather warning and said heavy rain could cause flooding in many areas.

The Strangford Road in Downpatrick was closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a landslide.

All P&O Express sailings between Larne and Cairnryan were cancelled due to the weather, but passengers were being transferred to conventional ferry sailings.

Additional reporting: PA