A round-up of the news of the freezing weather
WEST
GALWAY CITY and county councils have appealed for conservation of water. Reservoirs are very low, due to increased demand, along with leaks, frozen pipes and people running taps at night. Galway County Council has provided tankers for emergency water supplies in Rosmuc, Moycullen and Gort. Both local authorities have sufficient grit for only a couple of days and only major routes are being treated.
A young girl who fell through ice into a lake at Loughrea in east Galway was rescued by family members and bystanders yesterday. Gardaí said no emergency services were called, and they were informed after the event.
LORNA SIGGINS
SOUTH
A number of bus services in Cork were cancelled yesterday as heavy snowfall hit the city and county. Bus services to the north side of city were cancelled while routes to the south side were also heavily curtailed. A number of routes in the county were also cancelled.
Cork City Council is advising the public that water levels have reduced significantly due to increased demand and leaks.
Householders in the city are being asked not to leave taps running and to conserve water as much as is possible in the coming days.
Council staff are working to maximise water production levels and to ensure that leaks are repaired.
OLIVIA KELLEHER
SOUTHWEST
Kerry Mountain Rescue Team rescued four people from the Devil’s Ladder on Carrauntoohil over the weekend.
Gerry Christie of Kerry mountain rescue said it took several hours to reach the groups, who appeared to have ignored warning signs placed at access points to the mountain.
The four people were taken to safety by about 25 rescuers, several of whom had to drive in hazardous conditions from Cork.
Roads, including a number of minor roads in the Killarney area, were gritted overnight on Friday and Saturday. Major routes were treated yesterday morning.
Kerry County Council has about three days of salt stocks left and has set up a number of gritting stations where residents are invited to take material for minor roads and driveways.
All main routes around Tralee were open.
LORNA SIGGINS and ANNE LUCEY
MIDLANDS
Rural roads were particularly hazardous in Laois and Offaly. Some Bus Éireann services were cancelled. Laois County Council is supplying community groups with grit at a number of depots. In Offaly, Birr-based Loughnane Concrete is offering free grit.
Westmeath County Council is experiencing problems in the replenishment of salt stocks. The council received a salt delivery on Friday and expected stocks to run out today.
EOGHAN MacCONNELL
SOUTHEAST
The southeast experienced continuous snow showers, turning yesterday evening to sleet and rain in some areas. Temperatures along the coast were higher than forecast and rain and sleet showers were expected to have cleared snow; overnight ice was anticipated in many areas. Roads, especially secondary roads, were particularly difficult in Waterford and many were impassable. Wexford saw a significant improvement on roads yesterday. Wexford County Council has been offering grit free to farmers. Waterford County Council has distributed grit to 35 locations around the county.
ELLA SHANAHAN
EAST
Meath County Council has said it may have to consider night rationing of water. Reservoirs are low and people leaving taps running, as well as water pipes and mains bursting as the temperatures rise, is contributing to the problem.The council’s civil defence unit came to the aid of 25 people. It took people to hospital, brought medications to elderly people and helped evacuate families from local-authority homes where burst pipes had led to ceilings falling in.
ELAINE KEOGH