Huge queues form outside Limerick store in scenes reminiscent of wartime food shortages and rationing

THE heavy snowfall has seen huge queues form outside one County Limerick store in scenes reminiscent of wartime food shortages and rationing.

Large crowds of people queued outside Sheehy's Centra in Kilfinane to pick up essential items such as bread and milk following the severe wintery conditions across the country.

Local people have been putting out call-outs for tractors and help, with one local requesting that someone with a tractor check on her parents who were without water or electricity.

Commenting on the situation in the County Limerick town, Cllr Tommy O'Sullivan, said:

"It's as bad as I've seen in my life so far. We're hearing stories of the 1963 snowfall and people who would have been around then are equating now to then, that's how bad it is up here in the mountains."

The Fine Gael councillor thinks that residents could be "snowed in" there for a few more days.

Cllr O'Sullivan said people are stuck in their homes but that everybody is out helping each other and credited Sheehy's Centra and Murphy's Filling Station for opening their doors during the extreme weather to provide people with basic food items and fuel.

He has been inundated with calls during the severe weather to help local residents. "The council have really pulled out all the stops."

He also met a tourist staying in Ballyorgan who walked from there to Centra in Kilfinane. "He couldn't believe the generosity of the lady in the shop... There's a sense of pride as well that we were able to offer that to our visitors."

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Cllr O'Sullivan has seen huge community spirit amongst locals helping people in different houses and shovelling snow from the paths. There was also food for those in need at the local church.

He remarked that the positive was that people got out for a walk and met their neighbours which they wouldn't normally have time to do.

The Fine Gael councillor warned people to be mindful of the weather in the coming days with temperatures forecast to fall and black ice likely.

While road, pavement and weather conditions continue to impact letter, parcel and post office services, An Post staff have been able to safely attempt deliveries on at least part of more affected routes this morning. 

Some parts of Limerick are still badly impacted and snow ploughs were used to clear the yards and access roads around several An Post local delivery depots to ensure staff and operational safety.  

Just six Post Offices remain closed today across the country including Kilmallock, Templeglantine, Ballylanders and Anglesborough in County Limerick thanks to power reconnections and improved road clearance enabling staff and postmasters to access their offices.