FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheál Martin was one of thousands of people whose travel plans were dashed by the return of volcanic ash clouds in Irish airspace.

The Irish Aviation Authority IAA has confirmed that all flights in and out of Dublin Airport will be grounded from 7pm until 9am tomorrow morning, with Waterford closing at 11pm.

A specialist aircraft was today calculating the density of volcanic ash over Irish air space after aviation chiefs had to enforce airport closures.

Aviation chiefs tonight warned of further travel misery as a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland drifts closer to Ireland.

Italy’s civil aviation agency has fined Ryanair €3m for failing to help passengers stranded last month when flights were cancelled due to Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud.

Most Irish airports are set to operate normally until 4pm tomorrow, aviation authorities said this evening, however warning that there is an “increased risk” of disruption from the volcanic ash cloud.

Six Irish aiports are closed until lunchtime today after a massive ash cloud headed for the west coast of the country last night.

INCREASED volcano activity in Iceland will cause another day of flight disruption today at six airports.

Six Irish airports will close overnight because of the volcanic ash cloud.

Restrictions at most Irish airports will be lifted at 4am on Thursday morning.

Air passengers faced further misery today as volcanic ash forced restrictions in Irish airspace once again.

ALL flights in and out of this country have been grounded since 7am as northerly winds have driven clouds of Icelandic volcano ash back into Irish airspace.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has informed Irish-based airlines that it will be imposing restriction on all flights in and out of Ireland from 7am local until 1pm tomorrow, due to risk of ash ingestion in aircraft engines.

IN another measure that will offer families extra value, Irish Ferries has reduced all summer fares to France by up to 30% and cut the cost of all cabin types by up to 50%, save for their four- and five-star suites.

FIANNA Fáil European election candidate Ned O’Keeffe has denied rumours that he is rowing with his running mate, sitting MEP Brian Crowley.

New Irish-based international tour operator and sun charter airline, www.XL.com, has announced return flights on European routes from €99 to €199 return, including taxes, seat allocation and bags.