Thousands of people remain without electricity and water this morning, while water rationing may be imposed in some areas as the country struggles to recover from the ravaging Beast from the East.

The country is facing total shutdown from 4pm today with people ordered to stay indoors, schools and colleges closed, rail and bus services halted, and motorists warned it would be “suicidal” to take to the roads.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is facing an angry public backlash after saying he will not write a “blank cheque” or “pick up the bill” for elderly people who keep their heating on constantly during the sub-zero ‘Beast From The East’ storm.

The ‘Beast from the East’ Siberian snow storm set to grip Ireland from tonight could cause as much havoc as the historic 1982 freeze that brought the country to a standstill.

Forecasts of plummeting temperatures in the week ahead have caused concern for the wellbeing of homeless people sleeping rough on the streets.

The frequent storms and floods hitting Ireland are linked to global warming, according to the Climate Action Minister Denis Naughten said.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has disagreed with a claim by the outgoing chair of the Government Housing Agency, Conor Skehan, that some people are pretending to be homeless to skip housing queues.

Seán Hogan tells Joyce Fegan how the emergency taskforce managed the crisis of Ophelia.

Latest: The National Emergency Co-ordination group says the country remains at risk for severe flooding.

Cork’s embattled business community is demanding a clear commitment of government funds for flood defences in the city as it emerges that the bill for this week’s flooding will top €50m.