This morning’s dawn revealed the path of devastation that Storm Desmond carved upon the country, and even though Met Eireann has stood down the most severe weather warnings, people are advised to exercise extreme caution due to the abundance of surface water and debris on the roads.
Persistent rain over the last 36 hours has caused widespread flooding and other damage. There are a number of impassable roads across the country today; the Loughrea/ Oranmore Rd (R446) at Craughwell in Galway is completely flooded.
The N71 road is closed at Bandon; the left lane of the M6 Galway/Dublin Road is flooded eastbound at Junction 16 Loughrea.
The Castlepolard/ Aughabrack Rd (R395) is impassable between Coole & Lisryan, after a river burst its banks.
The N54 Clones/ Monaghan Rd is impassable outside Clones, and diversions are in place.
Army personnel have been deployed in some areas to help with the clean-up operations.