Rush hour chaos as east coast hit by flooding

SEVERE overnight flooding caused chaos for rush hour motorists yesterday as businesses and schools reopened after the Easter break.

Road users along the east coast and parts of the midlands were urged to take care after heavy downpours over night.

Several inches of water affected driving conditions around north Dublin in Coolock, Portmarnock, Malahide, Rush, Lusk, Skerries and Balbriggan.

Motorists were warned to avoid Blake’s Cross and a car was also stuck in the flood water on Clonsaugh Road.

Elsewhere, the Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot is under one foot of water, while the River Nore burst its banks in Mountrath resulting in flooding through the town.

Gardaí and the Automobile Association (AA) are urging drivers to slow down and approach flooded areas with extreme caution.

Motorists with fully comprehensive car insurance are normally covered if their car takes an accidental dip in the water.

“But if you’ve got third-party insurance then you’re out of luck,” said Conor Faughnan, of AA Ireland.