Warning to drivers as cold snap bites

Gardaí and the AA today urged care on the roads as the country froze amid another icy snap.

Local councils were busy salting roads to help commuters get to work safely.

Overnight snow fell along the east coast, where severe frost left very icy conditions on untreated roads.

Road temperatures in parts of counties Mayo, Sligo and Donegal plunged as low as minus 7C (19F).

In Wicklow, the road from Sally Gap to the Luggala Crossroads was closed overnight due to icy road conditions.

A Met Eireann spokesman said: “Temperatures will remain below freezing for a good part of the morning but will then slowly rise to between 4C (39F) and 7C (45F).

“Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow will gradually develop through the day in parts of Munster.”