Flights delayed, roads blocked and train services suspended

Dozens of roads are blocked and public transport has been severely disrupted by a storm which is sweeping the country.

The Dart is suspended for several hours between Dalkey and Bray due to problems on overhead lines at Shankhill. Dublin Bus are accepting rail tickets for passengers.

Dozens of flights in and out of Dublin airport have been cancelled. Passengers are advised to check their airline’s website.

Earlier all trains in and out of Heuston Station, Dublin were suspended but resumed with many delays.

A limited services resumed between Cork, Kerry,Limerick and Heuston subject to delays, IrishRail said.

The Waterford trains are also expected to run but with delays because of a fallen tree on the line.

Gardaí have alerted of a number of road closures in Dublin including: an ESB cable down on Rathgar Avenue, trees down at the lower Dodder Road, Ballinclea Rd , Kevin St/ Patrick St, Shelerin Rd in Clonsilla, Moyne Rd in Baldonnel

Passengers on the 11am from Cork to Dublin have not yet reached their destination and many of them are still on the train in Mallow station as replacement buses cannot get through.

A jack-knifed lorry has cause a 16km tailback on the N20, the main road between Cork and Limerick, into Mallow from Buttevant. Motorists are reporting delays of two and a half hours on the N20.

A number of trees are also blocking the N20 Cork/ Mallow Rd on the other side between Rathduff and Mallow.

AA Roadwatch public affairs manager Conor Faughnan said the travel disruption caused in the Munster area is the worst he has ever seen.

Attempts to clear the roads have been hampered by dozens of fallen trees which is causing chaos throughout the south of the country.

“It’s as bad as anything we have ever witnessed in Munster,” said Conor Faughnan, “even when we had the floods and the big freeze of 2010”.

The main artery to the south, the M8, is closed both ways at J15 Fermoy South as emergency services deal with an overturned truck. Diversions are in place.

The M8 is also closed both ways at J9 Cashel South because of two overturned trucks either side of the motorway.

Trees have been cleared on the N71 Skibbereen/ Cork Rd just before Rosscarbery. Fallen trees still in place further east between Bandon and Ballinhassig and on towards Cork City.

The South City Link Rd is blocked between the Kinsale Rd roundabout and the city centre due to fallen trees.

A fallen tree is partially blocking the Grange Rd heading towards the Kinsale Rd R/A from the Frankfield area.

Motorists are advised to avoid the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry as there is a lot of debris flying around, including reports of shed roofs.

Gardai are advising the public to make no unnecessary journeys in West Limerick. There are a lot of fallen trees on secondary roads around Newcastle West, Foynes and Shanagolden.

One lane of the M9 Waterford/ Dublin Rd is blocked northbound between J9 Kilkenny South and J8 Kilkenny due to a fallen tree.

Cork Airport and Shannon are both closed until further notice.

Passengers on all train routes in Cork and Kerry and between Ennis to Athenry are advised to expect disruption and significant delays to services, due to fallen trees and other debris on railway lines.

Due to fallen trees on roads, it is currently not possible to provide bus transfers between Mallow and Cork and between Mallow and Tralee. Line maintenance crews are working to clear lines, to ensure customers are brought to their destinations at earliest opportunity.

Bus Eireann has cancelled all Limerick City Services. Expressway services are also cancelled.

All Irish Ferries Dublin Swift sailings have been cancelled until further notice.

Stena Line has suspected all crossings on the Irish Sea until at least tomorrow evening.