Garda missing as weather causes chaos

DUBLIN’S local authorities have invoked a major emergency plan after storms battering Leinster led to the evacuation of entire estates and saw a search and rescue operation for an off-duty garda swept away after a river burst its banks.

In scenes reminiscent of Cork’s devastating November 2009 floods — which resulted in almost €100 million-worth of damage — Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council were forced to act last night.

The decision was made in a conference call between city manager John Tierney and all major responder groups at 9pm.