Public urged to take ‘extra care’ as country braces for severe weather
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The public has been urged to take extra care this weekend following warnings of a “multi-hazard weather event” due to hit Ireland on Saturday. It comes as the Government’s national emergency co-ordination group (NECG) met on Saturday to prepare for the severe weather forecast across the country.
Taoiseach Simon Harris was also briefed by the emergency director about their plans. Snow, ice, heavy rain and sleet are to sweep over the island of Ireland as temperatures continue to plummet. A series of weather warnings will come into effect, with status orange snow and ice warnings issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
These warnings will be in effect from 5pm on Saturday until 5pm on Sunday. A separate rain and snow warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. This warning comes into effect at 5pm on Saturday and run for 24 hours. These counties are also under a status yellow rain warning, which ran from 1pm on Saturday.
Emergency director Keith Leonard spoke to the Taoiseach and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien about the ongoing preparations. Those attending the meeting included the Department of Housing, Met Eireann and a range of other stakeholders including from the education and transport sectors.
Mr Leonard warned of difficult travel conditions across the country in the coming days. He said: “Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted – so I urge people to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
