Storms cause transport disruption

Severe weather conditions across the country have caused disruption to transport users and made driving conditions difficult.

Severe weather conditions across the country have caused disruption to transport users and made driving conditions difficult.

The severe weather conditions which caused damage and disruption to transport users through the day are continuing this evening but high winds are set to ease tonight.

Forecasts show the damaging gusts of up to 130 kmh today will abate to a maximum of 95 kmh in coastal areas, with the south worst affected. There will also be less rain this evening and ground frost is expected tomorrow morning.

AA Roadwatch warned cyclists were vulnerable to high winds as were high-sided vehicles in exposed areas.

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Flooding was reported in all parts of the State and surface water on roads continued to disrupt traffic this evening.

Some 10,000 homes lost power due to fallen cables in Co Kerry today and some roads were closed due to flooding.

Particularly heavy traffic was reported in Limerick this evening, where road works exacerbated the problem. In Ennis, AA Roadwatch said the main Limerick / Galway was passable but flooding was causing congestion particularly in the town.

Cork city and surrounding areas also experienced traffic delays caused by flooding and fallen trees. While Galway traffic was held up by heavy flooding.

All main roads out of Dublin were also heavy this evening.

This morning, bus journeys in the Blanchardstown / Clonee area took up to three hours because of two crashes. Traffic was gridlocked on the M50 until lunchtime, as a consequence. The N4 was badly affected as was the N3 as far back as Navan, which was experiencing heavy traffic in bound this evening.

Commenting on the M50 traffic chaos this morning, Joan Burton of the Labour Party said an 8.15am bus from Ongar got stuck in traffic in the Blanchardstown area and didn't leave the Blanchardstown Town Centre until after 10am.

"Three hours for an 8 mile bus journey is totally unprecedented in this country."

"The Government has to recognise the scale of the crisis in transport that is happening around Dublin as suburban towns expand rapidly without transport infrastructure being put in place," she said.

Storm warnings remain in place from last night and ferry sailings have been badly hit, with all Jonathon Swiftsailings on the Dublin to Holyhead route cancelled. More information is available from Irish Ferries at 0818-300400 or 053-33158.

HSS Stena Explorer

sailings on the Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead route and sailings from Rosslare to Fishguard have also been cancelled. More information is available from Stena Line on 01-2047777.