Limerick commuters brace for another morning of freezing temperatures

THOUSANDS of Limerick commuters could face another morning of treacherous slippery road conditions and traffic disruptions, as Met Eireann has issued a fresh weather alert for freezing temperatures for Tuesday morning.  

Cautious motorists and pedestrians endured icy road conditions and delays, as a result of widespread black ice across Limerick on Monday morning.

This followed a weekend of plunging temperatures hitting below zero in parts of the county, after Met Eireann issued a nationwide orange weather alert on Sunday morning.

Met Eireann has warned that the country faces another cold snap, with temperatures dropping to minus four degrees between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

And despite the freezing conditions, there were no major incidents across the city and county on Monday morning.

There were no call-outs to any incidents by Limerick Fire Service crew on Monday morning, though there were a number minor road traffic incidents in Limerick, between 8am and 9.30am.

A number of commuters noted lengthy traffic delays in the Castletroy area, particularly near University of Limerick. One driver said that they “tried to pull over by the university and ended up skidding”.

AA Roadwatch said on its website that roads around the city were “very icy”.

Another commuter said that it was “like an ice rink” driving from Patrickswell to the city centre.

Cllr Emmett O’Brien stated on social media that there was “a minor road traffic incident” In Pallaskenry, while Cllr Cathal Crowe reported a stuck truck in Meelick. Emergency services attended the scene of a car crash near the Croom bypass. 

It is understood that a number of businesses in the city centre were spreading salt on the footpaths, in order to make conditions safer for pedestrians. 

There will be spells of rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, with average midday temperatures rising to eight and six degrees, respectively.