ESB to increase release of water from reservoir

The ESB has confirmed its had to increase the amount of water that's being released from the Poulaphuca reservoir along the flow of the river Liffey.

The last 36 hours have given residents in parts of the east a glimpse of the flooding nightmare that's faced the west and south over the past ten days.

The River Liffey bursts its banks in places overnight - with Sallins in Kildare and the Strawberry Beds in Dublin - among the worst affected areas.

Glen Pope, a spokesman for the ESB has said the increased the flow from Poulaphuca is no cause for major concern.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Co Kildare after the River Liffey burst its banks overnight.

The Waterways estate and business park just outside Sallins village is one of the worst affected areas.

Other locations along the river - including Athy, Clane, Ballymore Eustace and Kilcullen - are on high flood alert with further heavy rain forecast.