Snow closes Dublin Airport, disrupts bus and Luas

The arctic conditions gripping the country are showing no signs of easing as Met Eireann warn that further snow showers will affect many parts of Leinster and east Munster today and tonight.

Temperatures are also forecast to plummet to as low as -10C with a severe frost and freezing fog set to cause treacherous driving conditions.

The sub-zero weather conditions are continuing to cause major problems across the country following another night of heavy snowfalls in many parts.

Met Eireann is warning that the sub-zero weather will continue up to next Wednesday.

Flight operations at Dublin Airport have been suspended.

The Dublin Airport Authority said it currently has crews working to clear snow from the main runway.

The DAA says operations are not expected to resume until at least 7pm this evening.

Intending passengers are being advised to contact their airline before travelling to Dublin Airport.

In Cork, soldiers in 4x4 vehicles, some using snow chains, are transporting patients from Cork University hospital to Cobh while nurses are being taken to work by the Army from isolated areas in parts of Galway and Cork.

Dublin Bus has warned customers that services are now operating on a limited basis.

In a statement the company said there is currently a limited service operating on all routes due to extreme weather and icy road conditions.

The group said problems are being further worsened by traffic congestion and slow speeds across Dublin city.

Luas services in the city are also facing curtailments with the RED line service now only running from the Point to Tallaght , while the Connolly Luas stop is closed.

Green line services however are running as normal.

Driving conditions remain extremely dangerous and AA Roadwatch is urging motorists to avoid non-essential journeys.

Irish Rail has said all its services are operating although some routes may be subject to delays.

The vast majority of Bus Eireann services are running, but there is some disruption particularly in the East.

Dublin Bus said there are a large number of curtailments and diversion on its routes.

Commuters are being advised to log on to transport.ie for further information.

Road passenger services currently affected by weather and road conditions include some Bus Eireann services in the north east, south east and county Cork.

They include:

Route 2 – Dublin Airport-Rosslare – services operating to and from Gorey only

Route 4 Dublin-Waterford, Waterford-Dublin – cancelled

Route 5 New Ross-Dublin – 1800 cancelled

Route 7 Dublin-Clonmel 2030 cancelled, Cork-Kilkenny 1830 will operate to Mitchelstown only

23 – Sligo-Dublin – significant delays

Route 55 20.50 Waterford – Limerick cancelled

163 Drogheda-Donore – cancelled

161 Dundalk-Newry – operating on main road only

168 Dundalk-Annagassan – cancelled

175 Monaghan –Cavan – cancelled

182 Drogheda-Ardee – cancelled

188 Drogheda-Trim – cancelled

189 Drogheda-Clogher - cancelled

190 Drogheda-Laytown - cancelled

233 Cork-Macroom – diversions

243 Cork-Newmarket – 16.15 service to Rathduff cancelled

248 – Cork-Glenville 1615 cancelled