The present cold dry spell is expected to end tomorrow night, when windier and wetter conditions may spread eastwards across the country. Widespread "black ice" and freezing fog will make driving conditions hazardous.
The coldest temperatures so far this year were recorded at Dublin Airport on Saturday night, when the C and the ground temperature was -6.3 C. Similar temperatures were expected last night.
Many motorists avoided travelling in the difficult road conditions, but four people were killed. The first was a mother of three, Mrs Catherine Doherty, who died after a van collided with parked vehicles outside her home in Roscommon town on Saturday at 4.30 p.m. Mrs Doherty, a reporter with the Roscommon Herald, was in her late thirties.
The second death involved a 20-year-old man who died after his car left the road and struck a tree at Millisle Road, Donaghadee, Co Down, at 3 a.m. yesterday. His name is being withheld until next of kin have been told.
A man in his 20s was killed when the vehicle he was driving in icy road conditions hit a wall at Bailieboro, Co Cavan, at 5.20 p.m. yesterday. In another accident at 8.10 p.m. in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, one man was killed.
There were many minor accidents caused by the bad road conditions, especially on the N8 between Cullahill and Urlingford, Co Kilkenny. Last night AA Roadwatch asked motorists not to make unnecessary journeys.
Weather warnings were issued by the AA for Wicklow and outlying areas of Dublin, including Ballymun, Clondalkin, Firhouse, Howth, Rathfarnham, Stepaside and Tallaght. AA Roadwatch controller Ms Karen Chew said drivers should should keep to main roads as far as possible.