The persistent rain that caused serious flooding in some parts of the country yesterday is expected to clear over the weekend and make way for drier, colder weather next week, writes Mark Rodden
Rainfall over recent days resulted in localised flooding in counties Mayo, Clare, Kilkenny and Cavan yesterday. There was a snowfall in the Sally Gap, Co Wicklow.
The heaviest rain was in the south and east, where a fall of 10 to 15mm was recorded. While this is not particularly high for the time of year, Met Éireann said cumulative rainfall in recent weeks had caused spot flooding in a number of areas.
"The water table is so high at the moment that even small amounts of rainfall could lead to local flooding," a Met Éireann spokesman said.
In Mayo, members of one family from the Neale area, outside Ballinrobe, were taken to safety in a boat after their home was flooded. They were in emergency accommodation last night.
The main road from Ballinrobe to Galway was blocked for a time, while many secondary roads in the area were impassable.
Local Fine Gael TD Michael Ring called for the abolition of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and for a new statutory body to be put in place to deal with flooding. "No one wants to take responsibility when things go wrong. Mayo County Council and the OPW are all washing their hands on this one."
Fianna Fáil councillor Damien Ryan called on Minister of State at the Department of Finance Tom Parlon to visit south Mayo before the water levels recede.
The snow at Sally Gap occurred because rain on high ground often turns to snow or sleet on cold days. However, for those dreaming of a white Christmas, Met Éireann said there is only a "small chance" of snow falling on Christmas Day.