ROAD CONDITIONS in parts of Clare have been described as “lethal” with heavy snowfall in parts of the county.
A status yellow snow-ice warning remains in place for the county until 11pm on Thursday night with a status yellow low-temperature and ice warning designated by Met Éireann from 9pm on Thursday night to 10am on Friday morning.
Two buses and a truck left the N68 due to the severity of the conditions, the section between Kilmihil and Darragh has witnessed the majority of these accidents with up to ten cars reported to have also left the road. The Kilrush to Ennis Rd is closed at Lissycasey with the main artery from West Clare to the county town among the worst affected roads.
An approximate 700km of the county’s road network has been salted by Clare County Council crews.
An Garda Síochána have advised motorists to remain focused on the roads if it is necessary for them to travel.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council advised, “Following rain, sleet, snow and freezing conditions during the night, ice is to be expected on untreated road surfaces which can make driving conditions very hazardous. Ice-free conditions cannot be guaranteed even on treated roads. Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice”.
Snow has descended on most parts of the county with drivers and pedestrians urged to take extra caution when out and about.
