Snowstorms intensify across Ireland

As snowstorms intensify across the northern and eastern coasts of Ireland and slowly spread south, thousands more are expected to be caught up soon in a weather crisis that is already affecting millions.

Gardai are warning about hazardous driving conditions in Counties Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, Laois, Tipperary, Roscommon, Carlow, Galway and Wicklow.

Disruption on the roads is being compounded by fallen trees. Traffic in Dublin has been reduced to a standstill and the weather worsens, with public transport running behind schedule across the board, and the expanding taxi service has been stretched to its limit.

The ESB report 15,000 homes in the Republic are without power, while a mammoth 50,000 homes have been left powerless in the North.

The areas worst affected by electricity cuts are Arklow, Bray, Dundalk, Drogheda, Buncrana, Killybegs, Enniskerry, north Dublin and Co Wexford.

Two 10,000-volt cables have snapped in Co Louth, while a 38,000-volt power station has also been crippled.

Three major international airports in the north and east have been shut until at least 9:30am - Dublin Airport, Belfast International and Belfast City.

All incoming flights have been diverted to Shannon, but intending passengers have still been advised to show up as planned at the terminus buildings.

An announcement is expected on the latest situation regarding the airports before 10am.

All ferry sailings from Rosslare, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin Port and Larne have been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions on the Irish Sea.