Snow showers hit east, more on the way

Met Éireann is warning of large snow falls across the east of the country this afternoon, severely disrupting transport, as the sub-zero conditions show no sign of abating.

Up to 5cm of snow is forecast to fall in Leinster this afternoon:

Road conditions will remain treacherous as a result, with temperatures set to plummet to minus eight tonight.

Motorists and road users are again being warned to take care as most secondary and minor routes as well as footpaths remain in a treacherous condition.

Nicola Hudson of AA Roadwatch said frequent heavy snow and hail showers over the past couple of hours had led to a "drastic deterioration" of roads in Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford.

“Traffic has become very slow in all of south Co Dublin especially as you head into the Dublin mountains," Hudson said.

“There are blizzard-like conditions in the Roundwood area and although the snow ploughs are out, the roads are totally impassable.

“All Wicklow mountain areas should be avoided, this includes both Wicklow Gap and Sally Gap as well as Rathdrum and Lara.”

“In Co. Wexford, conditions have been worsening since this morning, especially in the Enniscorthy, Ferns and Gorey areas," she added. “Traffic on the N11 has been badly affected”.

Conditions had also severely curtailed Dublin Bus services, while Bus Éireann said many of its routes in the area were experiencing major delays.

"Due to rapidly deteriorating weather and road conditions in the east of the country, Bus Eireann is advising customers intending to travel in the east of the country that services will be severely disrupted this evening," a statement said.

Routes experiencing severe delays this afternoon included the 103 Dublin-Duleek; the 105 Dublin-Ratoath; the 109 Dublin-Cavan; the 115 Dublin-Longford; the 120 Dublin-Portumna and the 126 Dublin-Kildare.

Air passengers are also facing long delays and cancellations after a number of British airports including Gatwick, Luton and Birmingham were forced to close for a time due to heavy snow.

Schools are also being urged to inform parents as soon as possible about their intentions to open tomorrow in bad weather.

Many parents are concerned that their children won't be able to access their schools as they return from Christmas holidays.

The Department of Education yesterday said the decision on opening was down to each individual school board.

However, president of the Irish Primary Principals Network Pat Goff said schools need to give parents notice today, rather than leaving it until the morning.

He said schools should have assessed by now whether or not heating and water systems are working as normal, and whether safe access to the premises is available.