Port Tunnel partially reopens after fire

The southbound lane of the Port Tunnel has reopened this afternoon after a truck tyre earlier caught fire.

However, one one lane of the northbound bore is open to traffic. The HGV ban in the city centre, which was lifted for several hours this afternoon, is back in force.

Alarms were triggered at about 12.30pm today when a truck pulled into a lay-by in the tunnel. CCTV cameras revealed smoke and flames from under the truck.

Emergency services were alerted, and the fire brigade put out the fire. No injuries were reported. It appears the rear passenger-side wheel caught fire.

The NRA's spokesman said that all the tunnel's emergency systems were working as they should.

However, Fine Gael's transport spokesman, Fergus O'Dowd, called for a full safety review of the tunnel, saying that reports that other traffic was still allowed to enter the tunnel needed to be clarified.

He also said motorists claimed they were unable to hear the safety announcements.