The town of Bandon is bracing itself for the possibility of further flooding this weekend as much of the southern region goes on high alert following warnings of more bad weather.

A 365m stretch of the Shannon running by Limerick city centre between Sarsfield Bridge and Thomond Bridge will be critical to how flooding develops or abates over coming days in the lower Shannon between the city and Parteen Weir, 13km up river.

A farmer who was forced from his home by flood waters now expects to spend Christmas alone in a small caravan in Co Offaly.