Snowfalls and ice set to cause more travel disruption

Heavy snowfalls, ice and frosty conditions are to continue to trouble much of the country today and tomorrow.

Householders have been urged to keep a close eye on elderly neighbours and motorists have been asked to reduce speeds and avoid unnecessary journeys while the cold snap continues.

The west and north-west were worst hit yesterday with almost six inches of snow recorded by 6 p.m. in Knock, Co Mayo.

Tripping power lines left up to 4,000 homes in Ballina and 2,000 homes in Sligo without electricity, according to a spokeswoman for the ESB. Other areas hit by power cuts were Buncrana and Killybegs in Co Donegal and Longford town.

Met Eireann warned that further snow showers are due today, spreading eastwards from the west and north-west.

It said those areas which were lucky to escape the snow can expect disruption instead from frost or ice.

"Temperatures will remain around zero or a few degrees above, meaning only a very slight chance of thawing," said forecaster Ms Joan Blackburn.

Emergency services throughout the State had to deal with a spate of minor road accidents yesterday.

Two women had to be airlifted to hospital from the Sally Gap in Co Wicklow after a car left the road. One of the women suffered a broken leg, the other a back injury.

In the same area, a man whose car skidded into a ravine also suffered back injuries. He was removed from his car by the rescue team and taken to a coastguard helicopter before being flown to Tallaght Regional Hospital.

The cars of these people were among more than 30 which were reportedly abandoned yesterday in the wintry conditions in the Sally Gap, which gardai had warned motorists to avoid.

AA Roadwatch advised drivers not to make any journeys in Donegal, Derry or Leitrim because of the treacherous conditions. It also declared parts of Galway, Mayo and Sligo as no-go areas.

"Once snowfall is affecting an area it is safer for any driver to avoid travelling unless it really is imperative," said Roadwatch controller Mr Trevor Keegan.

He also urged drivers to stay away from the Sally Gap where, it appeared, some motorists had gone to practise driving in icy or off-road conditions.

Meanwhile, the three eastern area health boards advised elderly people to keep as warm as possible, and said that if they got into any difficulties they should contact a neighbour or the emergency services. The heath boards urged people to keep an eye on, or visit, elderly neighbours while the cold snap persists.

The weather has also cast a doubt over sporting fixtures with a track inspection due to take place at Leopardstown this morning to determine if today's meeting can go ahead.

Aer Rianta said it did not expect operations at Dublin Airport to be disrupted by the weather as long as visibility remained good. Belfast Airport, however, was forced to close yesterday, causing six flights to be diverted to Dublin.

The frosty weather will continue until at least Saturday when, according to Met Eireann, it will be milder and dry.

Wetter weather is due on Sunday, but on New Year's Day a "very disturbed" weather pattern is predicted with the possibility of stormy winds.

Weblinks: Weather updates can be found at the Irish Times website www.ireland.com, while the latest road information can be obtained from AA Road watch at www.roadwatch.ie