Commuter chaos set to continue

Commuters grappled with treacherous conditions today after fresh overnight snowfalls as the big freeze showed no sign of a let-up.

While temperatures are forecast to creep to 4C today, with snow showers confined to the east coast, the thermometer could fall as low as minus 11C tonight.

AA Roadwatch warned motorists of compacted and fresh snow in Leinster and the south east and black ice in Munster and Connaught.

Nicola Hudson from AA Roadwatch said conditions on the roads remain treacherous.

"The road temperature dropped down to around -9 last night on the N13 in Donegal and they were also down as low as -8 in other parts of the west," Ms Hudson said.

She advised drivers to take extreme caution as icy conditions may still be present in some spots.

Public transport faced disruption but Dublin Airport will operate as normal after shutting down last night.

A spokeswoman said the runway was cleared of snow and ice overnight but urged passengers to check with the airline before coming to the airport.

Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus pledged to operate as many services as possible but accepted some routes would have to be scaled back while others faced delays.

Iarnrod Eireann and Luas said full services would be operating across the networks.

Met Eireann warned of more sleet and snow but showers over east Leinster and parts of east Munster will become confined to coastal counties by early afternoon. Freezing conditions are continuing to wreak havoc for commuters across the country this morning.

Pat Clarke from Met Eireann however said more was to come.

"Unfortunately there is a spell of weather coming from the Atlantic later tonight and some time after midnight a spell of freezing snow will move into western areas," Mr Clarke said.

"A belt of freezing snow will cross the country late tonight and early Friday morning.

"But that will clear away during the afternoon on Friday."

The Defence Forces said it had 150 troops using 45 offroad vehicles to help authorities around the country.

A team helped in the recovery of an ambulance stranded in icy conditions in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Units were also dispatched to de-ice and grit roads and footpaths in the town and in Drogheda, Newbridge, Kildare and Naas, while a number of soldiers have begun training on spreader vehicles to help over-stretched councils.

Another 50 troops have been deployed around the country to transport medical staff and medicines to isolated patients.

Meanwhile Kildare County Council has warned motorists to stay off the roads.

It follows an incident on the M9 in the county last night when lorries jack-knifed and blocked the motorway, leaving other drivers stuck on the road in freezing temperatures.

Gardaí, the council, Civil Defence and Order of Malta personell all responded to the alert, while the army were put on standby. One driver needed medical attention.

The council is warning that some of those who venture out today will inevitably end up stranded, with fresh and compacted snow spelling chaos for drivers.

Affected Bus Éireann services (6.25am update):

Road passenger services currently affected by weather and road conditions include some services in the east and north east:

100, 100x and 101 services from Drogheda and Dundalk are operating with some diversions and delays

Route 2 – Dublin Airport-Rosslare – services operating to and from Gorey only – 630, 730, and 830 departures from Dublin Airport cancelled

107 Kingscourt-Dublin – cancelled

108 Balieboro-Dublin – operating to Kells only

111 Cavan-Trim/Athboy – Dublin – early morning services cancelled, further services under review

120 Edenderry-Dublin – Edenderry-Tullamore early morning service cancelled, further services under review

126 Naas/Newbridge/Kildare –620 service cancelled, further services under review

132 Tullow-Dublin – 630 service 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

187 Kells-Oldcastle – cancelled

188 Drogheda-Trim – cancelled

189 Drogheda-Clogher - cancelled

190 Drogheda-Laytown – cancelled

Balbriggan and Drogheda Town services are cancelled