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Updated at 2.47pm
THE STORM SYSTEM passing to the north of the country is continuing to make for tough driving conditions on the nation’s roads this afternoon.
There have also been some flight delays and diversions as a result of the high winds. A number of services scheduled to land at Dublin Airport were diverted to Shannon and Belfast.
The DAA is advising anyone with travel plans or hoping to pick up friends or family members to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
At Cork Airport, flights have been arriving pretty much on schedule, aside from the odd delay. It’s a similar story at Shannon this afternoon.
‘Alert’
An ‘orange alert’ warning from Met Éireann remains in effect, and much of the country experienced high winds overnight and this morning.
Additionally, thousands of people have been left without power, following lightning strikes in the West.
AA Roadwatch has been reporting particularly difficult conditions in the Galway area since early this morning. The M6 Dublin – Galway motorway has also been badly hit, according to the traffic monitoring service:
There are a number of collisions on the M6 Dublin/ Galway Rd around J17 Athenry. GardaÍ may have to close the road again. Slow down on that route.Gardai are still dealing with a crash on the M6 westbound on the off ramp for J19 Oranmore. Slow down and take extra care. Conditions are very poor on the M6 this afternoon.
Additionally, there’s snow sticking to road surfaces in Cavan Town, and on higher ground around Baileborough and Ballyconnell. In Monaghan, there’s also snow on the road in the Carrickroe and Corcaghan areas.
Warnings
The Road Safety Authority has issued a warning urging drivers to be on the lookout for fallen debris, and for other vehicles swerving to avoid obstructions.
Here are the other main points of advice from the authority:
Gardaí are also warning drivers to take care and ‘arive alive’. Officers have been out in Dublin this morning distributing high-vis gear to pedestrians and cyclists:
[Image: An Garda Síochána via Twitter]
Trains and buses
Train and bus companies are reporting no major problems as a result of the weather;
Irish Rail is reminding customers that last trains depart at 9pm. Full service details are available here.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Bus Éireann spokesman John Sheridan said managers were monitoring routes around the country, but that services were running as planned.
He said customers planning a journey later today should be aware that the company is also running an amended schedule, with the last buses timetabled for 9pm.
Dublin Bus is running a limited Saturday service today, with last departures at nine. There will be no Nitelinks.
Ferries
Several ferry crossings planned for today were cancelled as a result of the weather. Operators made the call yesterday, after the storm warning was issued.
All Irish Ferries ‘Swift’ sailings for today are off, with passengers being accommodated on the larger ‘Cruise’ vessel. Sailings between Rosslare and Pembroke for today are also cancelled.
Stena Line cancelled its 2.15am and 8.20am sailings from Dublin Port. The company’s warning that later sailings today may also be subject to delays. Sailings from Rosslare to Fishguard for today are also off.
Outlook
The latest forecast from Met Éireann is for moderating winds, but some wintry and thundery showers, especially in Connacht and Ulster.
The wintry showers will become confined to coastal counties in the north, west and south this evening — with frosty weather settling in tonight, ahead of a cold, dry and bright Christmas Day.
Stormy conditions are expected to return on Friday, and continue into Saturday morning.
First posted at 8am
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The whole ‘parliament’ thing needs to be examined – It is not democracy to go to the pub then pass legislation that affects the whole population and then not listening to the opposition or not allowing them to talk.
@eastsmer #IRExit: It’s one this to describe the forum examining Dáil privilege as an “expert one”, but exactly how does Mary Hanafin and Conor Brady qualify as legal or constitutional experts?
As far as I can see the only thing they both have in common is an innate ability to look after their own interests and Hanafin ‘obtained’ a diploma in legal studies from DIT. Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, another outcome written before the forum meets.
@eastsmer #IRExit: We are governed by a sound bite government of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the fact their intellects are eclipsed by their egos is becoming more apparent each passing day.
@The Risen:
They couldn’t nail him in court now they’re trying to silence him in the Dail.
Paul Murphy’s influence grows stronger by the week.
The rightful heir to Joe Higgins throne.
@Hurt Stoogie:
The 2% who brought the government to its knees over Irish Water and have instilled such fear and trepidation in Fine Tory that other much touted financial impositions such as a Broadcasting Charge and and privatised waste management proposals have been hastily shelved.
The current establishment are the enemy of the people and Paul Murphy is our champion.
@Emmet Dillane: 2%? That from a polling company, is it?
In a recent case taken by a certain Denis O’Brien, the Supreme Court ruled that Dail privilege is an absolute right defined as such in the Constitution. So the C.C. has no right to curtail it. The people alone have the right to censure a TD by declining to re-elect him. In a country where there have been too many secrets for too many decades we should value Dail privilege highly now that we are finally electing some TDs with the courage to use it.
There is no basis for using the Dail’s rules to science an individual member. The TDs do not answer to each other. They answer to us.
As the issue is covered by the constitution then I would have thought that the Supreme Court is the only forum which has the authority to definitively decide such matters.
Did the Gardai, commit perjury and why doesn’t the AG bring charges for it?
No.
Beachside, no.
@Stephen murphy: it appears there’s no offence of perjury in Ireland on the statute books ; though perverting the course of justice does exist.
The establishment cannot contain themselves. We need to overthrow the government.
Is that Mary who the people of Dunlaoighre said no thanks. If it is it really does show no difference between the two government party’s . F/F F/G. Are they getting payed?
Why now does the Ceann Comhairle need to examine when Dail Privilege is exceeded! He is the Ceann Comhairle, and as so, should Know when, or not it’s breached! Why Now does he need an Expert Group to examine this! He either knows his Job, or he doesn’t. Which is it?
@Hurt Stoogie: Put back in their boxes? Not a fan of free and open democracy then are you ye blueshirt bootlick?
You have to laugh at this meaningless bullsh!t. What did we ever do in days before:
Tribunals
Hearings
Reports
Commissions
Inquiries
Probes
investigations
Special task forces
Citizens assemblies
And now Expert forums…..
What a waste of time and money. Murphy was not convicted of anything yet our Taoiseach accused him of being a thug. Then the Taoiseach should be reprimanded and told to Mind his rhetoric in future.
@Paul Coughlan: Thuggery is not a criminal offence.
@Paul Coughlan: he didn’t accuse him of being a thug . He said that there was a lot of thuggery going on that day . There’s a difference. ..
EXpert FORUM ,can we be tolled what exactly these guys are expert in ,maybe gombeenism .
@The Risen: Murphy and Mary Lou, who lied in the Dáil, need to be put back in their boxes.
@Hurt Stoogie: Just to clarify, before I report your comment, was it directed at me?
@The Risen: you ok hun? PMSL
The words kangaroo and court and exceeding your authority spring to mind.
Expert forum to shut up those whom go against the status quo… FG FF LIEBOUR hate the likes of P Murphy. His stature is growing and they need him nullified. Courts couldn’t so Dail will try.. Fools adding to his rise ..
@Emmet Dillane: yes, the 2% popular party..
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s name calling but never mind I understand your connection with reality is fairly tentative.
@The Risen: poor snowflake.. what comment? That Mary Lou lied in the Dáil or that Pbp are on 2%? Are you jamming?
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s ironic that you resort to name calling given your comment about the “brainless left”
@Hurt Stoogie: Thought so. All mouth, no pantaloons.
@The Risen: watching that runt murphy being put in him box by Leo was one of the truly epic Dail moments.
@james connolly: it was a great moment …
@The Risen: Is “the Risen” your real name shinnerbot?
Solicitors for the Gardaí will like to know when they’re suing you for defamation…
@The Risen: At least he made it to Barcelona to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution. Fond memories include: 15 million dead in the ensuing chaos, dictatorship of the proletariat, Lenin, Stalin. Good times.
@Emmet Dillane: Paul Murphy is no Joe Higgins
@Bryan Kelly: telling lies us free and open is it? Calling names is the resort of the brainless left…
@Diarmuid: But Diarmuid I suspect they can spell better then you can. Maybe we should stop educating these wild left wingers?
@ Butt hurt
Probably time that you considered reinventing yourself again stoogie
@Hurt Stoogie: Poor Risen/Were Jammin/For Connolly is pure jealy he’s not one of the Jobstown Martyrs.
@Diarmuid: the poor snowflake is rather upset that everyone see murphy for the thug that he is
@The Risen: thought what? I notice you don’t engage in discussion re points made about dear deputy leaders lie in the Dáil… all mouth, no actual balls.
Expert Forum needed to establish how those idiots got in the Dail, don’t mind worrying about privileges.
@Kerry Blake: it’s not name calling, it’s stating facts.
@high ho silver: and that gives Murphy the right to break the Dail rules?
One embarrassment after another…
What a load of loaded nonsense
One woman in a 4 person panel. It would have been nice to see gender balance.
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