Entrepreneur, businessman and political activist Declan Ganley has agreed to pay the European Election expenses of Co Louth beef and cereal farmer Raymond O’Malley who failed to get elected, a court heard today.

Munster and east Leinster are this morning bracing themselves for severe flooding as high winds and heavy rain buffet the country.

HIGH quality milk from Ireland’s hugely efficient dairy farms will be well placed to cope with future open market challenges, says Lakeland Dairies chief executive, Michael Hanley.

Met Éireann has issued an updated severe weather alert as the country faces another day of freezing conditions.

IN spite of overnight lows of -12C and daytime temperatures of just -5C expected in some parts today, the country now looks likely not to have a white Christmas Day.

Overnight temperatures are to plummet to minus 15C in parts of Ireland this week, but the ice and snow will be replaced by wind and rain from Christmas Day.

Local authorities in Dublin say water supplies will be greatly reduced, and cut in some cases, between 7pm and 7am over the coming nights.

Further snow and sleet falls are forecast today in east Leinster and parts of south east Munster, with fresh accumulations of up to six centimetres.

Commuters grappled with treacherous conditions today after fresh overnight snowfalls as the big freeze showed no sign of a let-up.

Met Eireann has forecast heavy snowfalls tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night in east Leinster.

ARCTIC weather conditions gripping the country will disrupt people’s travel plans this week.

Motorists are being urged to take extreme care on the roads this morning with icy conditions reported in many areas.

Snow showers are causing flight delays and hazardous road conditions in many parts of the country this morning.

Despite passenger numbers at Shannon Airport continuing to rise, it is to lay off 200 workers, writes Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe.