An exhausted Limerick grandmother whose home flooded five times in 72 hours, said she was on the verge of a “nervous breakdown” unless something was done to alleviate flooding near her home.

A number of homes in Limerick flooded this morning after the River Shannon burst its banks during a eight-meter high tide.

The disdain directed at experts during the Brexit campaign — and in today’s “divorce” negotiations — might have prepared Britain’s civil service for the resignation of the permanent secretary at the British Home Office, Philip Rutnam, following an unprecedented row with his political boss, the polarising Priti Patel.

Viable flood relief options drawn up by Arup went on display in the town over the weekend.

Waterways Ireland has been urged to work with farmers who are facing serious flooding on the Shannon, as the agency initiates a new tourism masterplan for the river.

About 15,000 acres of land in the mid-Shannon area remains flooded this morning.

The allegedly deliberate flooding of part of a housing estate which was already under threat of being flooded, was an act of ”mindless thuggery”, according to a couple living in Shannon Banks, Co Clare.

Road closures are in place across the midlands and west today after heavy rain caused further flooding in a number of areas.

Up to 50mm of rain is expected in 12 counties over the next 48 hours.

For the first time since the recent wet spell began, they were called to provide help yesterday in Limerick and Westmeath.

As I watched our Leo Varadkar looking oh so dapper in his OPW uniform for his latest photoshoot on the evening television news, an old joke came to mind.