Over 30 motorists stuck in traffic forced to abandon cars and check into hotel in Charleville

OVER 30 cars were abandoned in Charleville on Sunday night as motorists stuck in the heavy snowfall were forced to check into a hotel.

People were caught up in traffic for up to four hours due to a number of traffic collisions on the Limerick side of Charleville and in the town on Sunday.

One person told Limerick Live this Monday morning: “There are about 30 cars just left on the side of the road and in Lee’s Centra. There are people walking on the road from the hotel to get back to their cars. 

“The snow is about 10 foot high on the side of the road as it has all been pushed to the side. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s actually quite sad to see the people walking on the road to get back to their cars. At least they had a warm room in the Charleville Park Hotel and weren’t stuck in their cars all night.”

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Another lorry has jackknifed this Monday morning on the Deerpark road and the N20 is blocked again.

"Road blocked, major delays. Please avoid all unnecessary travel in the North Cork area," say gardai.

Cork County Council is asking people to avoid the N20 Charleville to facilitate ploughing and gritting operations. Two ploughs are now operating on the route. 

One person posted on Facebook last night: “Ended up four hours stuck just outside Charleville on the Limerick side in a huge tailback. People leaving their cars to walk to the hotel and book in.”

A post on Lee’s Centra Facebook page gives huge credit to their team member David Forde, who trekked through the snow to open up their forecourt late on Sunday night so that Charleville Fire and Rescue could refuel the fire engines.

“The guys have been out all day in appalling conditions, helping the numerous motorists in need of assistance. Well done to David and to Charleville Fire crews, gardai and ESB crews,” read the post.