Freezing fog to cover country overnight

Met Eireann has said temperatures will plummet again tonight to as low as -9C in parts of the country leading to a severe frost and freezing fog.

However, a significant thaw will begin tomorrow as conditions become milder over the coming days, returning to a normal December weather pattern.

Motorists and pedestrians are being warned that roads and footpaths will remain treacherous for a number of days as the snow and ice lingers.

The adverse weather is believed to have been a factor in the deaths of at least five people including four pensioners over the last 12 days.

Road chiefs and Gardaí have issued a fresh joint appeal for road-users to take extreme care after three roads in the last 24 hours.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey urged motorists to stay safe during dangerous driving conditions.

“With less than three weeks to go to Christmas, I would appeal to all road-users to take extreme care when using the roads and make sure this festive season is free from grief and tragedy,” he said.

Two men were killed and a third man injured when a car struck a tree in Co Limerick last night. The collision is being investigated by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.

Separately a 67-year-old man died when it is believed he suffered a heart attack and crashed his a car near Oldcastle, Co Meath, this morning.

Noel Brett, of the Road Safety Authority, said there is a danger motorists will be lulled into a false sense of security as conditions improve after the recent freezing conditions.

He warned roads right across the country remain extremely dangerous with lingering patches of snow and ice posing serious risks for all road-users.

“When the expected thaw sets in it will present even more challenges for all road-users,” he said.

“The main danger will be from melting snow and ice. Slush will build up on the roads and they will become very wet, there may even be a risk of localised flooding.

“Combined with grit on the roads there will be an increased risk of skidding.”