Travel warning as Atlantic storm sweeps in
Transport chiefs have warned about the dangers of travelling as the latest Atlantic storm sweeps across the country.
As forecasters issued an orange alert for conditions nationwide, road users were urged to take extreme care, with fallen debris likely to cause a real hazard.
The storm is expected to bring south-west winds of 100kph to 130kph with the strongest gusts expected across the western and northern coasts.
The Road Safety Authority said there will be a risk of vehicles veering across the road to avoid debris while drivers might not have full control of vehicles in strong winds.
High-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, the authority said.
Met Eireann described the storm as vigorous and issued a wind warning for Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan.
The Atlantic depression is expected to pass just to the north-west of Ireland overnight and to bring severe winds for a time tomorrow.
A yellow weather warning is in place for winds across Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
Those regions are expected to experience south to south-west winds from 50kph to 70kph and gusts of 85kph to 100kph at times.
AA Roadwatch reported spot flooding on roads in Dublin, Wexford and Cork and in some rural areas.
Irish Ferries cancelled its Swift ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead for today and tomorrow with all passengers transferring to the cruise service.
Meanwhile, Iarnrod Eireann said it expects to carry up to 400,000 people on its Intercity routes over the Christmas and new year holiday period. No services will operate on Christmas Day or St Stephen’s Day.
