Motorists advised to stay home amid freeze

Motorists were warned to avoid travelling today due to hazardous driving conditions as the big freeze continued into the New Year.

Snow showers and ice caused widespread disruption in the east of the country, with Dublin Bus services and all flights into and out of Dublin Airport suspended.

Met Éireann said snow showers would die out in Leinster later in the day but will become more frequent in the North West, with temperatures ranging from -1C to 4C.

Gardaí and the AA advised against driving in midland, western and eastern counties because of dangerous conditions.

Driving conditions are extremely poor this morning in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, Roscommon, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow.

Dublin Bus said no services are currently operating and the situation is being kept under review.

AA Roadwatch said roads affected by ice and snow include the N2 through Monaghan, the N3 at Butlers Bridge, the N4 in Longford and N7, the N61 in Elphin and the N59 in Connemara.

Road temperatures on those national routes fell well below zero.

Stetches of the M50 in Dublin are also affected by icy conditions and the Chapelizod bypass is closed.

The Dublin Airport Authority meanwhile said services at Dublin Airport would resume at 10.30am following heavy snowfalls overnight.

All flights into and out of the Airport were suspended for a time this morning and there have been a number of flights diverted or cancelled.