Dublin airport reopens as runways are cleared

Dublin Airport has reopened after being closed for 90 minutes over lunch time to allow sleet and hail to be cleared from the runways.

An Aer Rianta spokesperson said the decision was taken for safety reasons and the flight schedule for the rest of the afternoon would be disrupted.She said flights would be affected by the closure and intending passengers should contact their individual airlines.

Severe weather conditions have also caused havoc on the roads after after overnight rain, sleet, snow, as well as thunder and lightning.

Eastern counties have been worst hit by the conditions. Motorists were warned to exercise extreme caution while driving in slush and floods.

Roads in Co Louth were described as treacherous after snowfall and slush, particularly at the Boyne Bridge on the M1 near Drogheda. Driving conditions were also dangerous in Counties Meath and Kildare.

Thundery showers have lead to flooding in the eastern half of the country with particularly bad conditions in Co Wicklow. In Dublin city centre Leeson Street and Pembroke Road are said to be the worst-affected areas, while long delays were reported on the M1 near the Port Tunnel works.

A widespread frost in the West has also left roads in a slippery condition, particularly in Counties Donegal, Leitrim and Mayo.

Met Éireann said today it would be very cold with widespread showers across Ulster, Leinster and north Connacht. The showers will be most frequent near the east coast with falls of rain and hail and sleet and snow over mountains.