DRAMATIC pictures show how snow forced the roof of a busy Kerry sports centre to cave in – as schools are shut and roads are impassable before Ireland shivers in even colder -12C temperatures.
Emergency services were called to the Tralee Sports Complex – a regional sports and swimming facility – at approximately 7am this morning after the alarm was raised over the damage.
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There were no injuries reported and the building and grounds will remain closed to the public following the shock incident.
The facility, which has almost 1,500 members, attracts over 300,000 visits each year.
Just days earlier a basketball game with hundreds in attendance took place in the hall.
Chair of the complex, Jim Finucane, said the main roof collapsed into the hall, which has suffered substantial damage as a result. However, he said the pools appear not to be affected.
He added that work will be undertaken to get the complex back open to the public as quickly as possible.
Discussing the damage he said: “This morning we were alerted to the collapse of the roof.
“The main roof of the main sports hall collapsed internally into the hall itself.
“We’re assuming obviously it was the weight of the snow that caused this damage, but there is substantial damage done to the main sports hall.
“The pools don’t seem to be impacted at the moment, but until this assessment is completed, obviously the entire facility is closed to the public.”
Similar damage struck a pub in north Cork this morning when the roof caved in on the business costing thousands of euros worth of damage.
Geary’s Bar, a family-owned pub on Main Street in Charleville, had created an outdoor area complete with heating and televisions that could accommodate up to 500 people.
But Corina Gough, the bar’s General Manager revealed that the roof of the area “buckled” due to the weight of snow that had fallen on it.
She explained that the outdoor facility “would be about 75 percent of our business this time of year”.
She continued: “It is fully heated with televisions and things like that. When the electricity went we were unable to close it in and it collapsed yesterday.
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“It is a retractable roof. It is a fantastic machine but it buckled. We measured up to 14 inches of snow. In severe weather warnings you open it in so that it folds up like an accordion.
“But if your electricity goes you are stuck. With no electricity yesterday the whole thing collapsed.”
Corina also told PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96FM Opinion Line that “a serious” amount of damage has been done to the pub.
This comes as Met Eireann issued a fresh bout of weather warnings today as snow and ice has caused havoc across the country.
The shock cold snap has resulted in power outages and school closures with more misery on the cards as temperatures will drop to -12C in some areas.
An Post has confirmed delays in services due to the snow and ice, while schools have shut down in six counties and 40,000 are left without power.
The wintry blizzard is also bringing hazardous travel conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption.
A status yellow snow-ice warning has been put in place for the entire country as alerts remain until Thursday.
FRESH ALERTS
The fresh alert is valid for 24 hours from today at 12pm until tomorrow at 12pm.
It comes as a Status Yellow Low Temperature and Ice warning that had been set to remain in place for the whole country until Thursday has been extended.
The warning was due to finish at 12pm on Thursday but will now run up until midnight.
With the warning comes hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot as well as travel disruption.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again this morning to discuss and co-ordinate the ongoing response to the disruptive weather.
PUBLIC ADVICE
Following the meeting, Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, emphasised the group’s public safety advice.
He said: “We will continue to see wintry showers and extremely cold temperatures over the coming hours and days, and hazardous travel conditions will continue for much of the week.
“Given the prevalence of extremely low temperatures throughout the country over the next few days, road and path surfaces will present a hazard to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Even where there has been no snow, icy conditions will prevail and surfaces may look deceptively safe.
“Furthermore, it’s important to emphasise again that even where roads have been salted, people should slow down, drive with caution and allow extra time for their journey. Drivers travelling longer journeys should be aware of conditions right along their route, as conditions are differing widely across different parts of the country.
“As well as looking after yourself, we are also asking you to look out for others.”
SCHOOLS SHUT
Dozens of schools in six main counties have chosen to not open today due to the severe weather.
The worst hit areas for school closures are in Carlow, Kilkenny, Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary and Cork.
All schools in both Carlow and Kilkenny are expected to make the decision to close.
The decision to close schools has been left to individual boards of management, depending on local factors.
So far, several schools have confirmed that they will not be reopening their doors to pupils this morning.
LIST OF SCHOOL CLOSURES
In Kildare, Castledermot Primary School, Gaelscoil Átha Í and Kildangan Primary School and Knockbeg College have confirmed that they will close.
In Cork, it is understood that Patrician Academy, St Mary’s Secondary School and Davis College are closed.
McEgan College in Co Cork also confirmed they will close their doors but said teachers will be available on Microsoft Teams to support students with their work.
Tipperary Councillor Liam Browne said that ALL schools in Cashel will remain closed today while St. Ailbe’s School in Carrownreddy also confirmed their closure.
It is expected that almost all schools in counties Carlow and Kilkenny will remain closed.
St Patrick’s De la Salle BNS in Kilkenny confirmed that they have also made the decision to close “due to the adverse weather conditions” while Kilkenny City Vocational School also it they won’t open its doors.
Borris College in Co Carlow will not reopen after the Christmas holidays today and said it will “review the situation again” this evening.
The Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training campus will also remain closed.
Our Lady Queen of Peace National School in Co Limerick also confirmed that it will remain closed “for the health and safety of our entire school community”.
And St Fergal’s College in Co Laois said they have also taken the decision to close the school as “it would not be safe for students, staff and parents to travel if these conditions continue.”
Education Minister Norma Foley said the vast majority of schools are opening but individual decisions are being made on the ground by principals to put student safety first.
The Minister said this morning there are school closures in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry and that parents and guardians are being notified by school staff.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Foley said the level of snowfall in her own home county, Kerry, is “unprecedented” leaving some roads impassable.
When asked whether schools who decided to shut for another day, the Minister said where schools can make online schooling provisions they will but it may not be feasible for all.
In other parts of the country, some schools saw delays in classes in order to accommodate students and staff arriving this morning during the freeze.
HELPING HAND
Meanwhile farmers in Kerry are being mobilised by the IFA after being asked by the HSE to help get medics to houses and to release cars and deliver groceries.
Hospital managers in UHK, in Tralee, the region’s acute hospital say they are faced with a twin difficulty of trying to get patients due for release out, and staff in.
However, the majority of HSE services are set to continue today as normal despite a number of cancelled appointments this weekend.
They have warned however, there could be further disruptions to services today due to the weather.
Due to hazardous travelling conditions in Cork, Kerry, South Tipperary, Laois and parts of the Mid West, the HSE has cancelled services in some areas.
These include outpatient appointments and day services.
HEALTH UPDATES
The HSE are providing updates online and will make contact directly with those who are impacted.
They also confirmed there are no disruptions to services in the West and North West, most of Dublin, and the North East.
Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO, said: “Where we defer any service it will be rearranged or rescheduled as quickly as possible. We regret any impact this has on our patients and their families however we must do all we can to ensure the safety of those who use our services and our staff.
“Any cancellations over the coming days are limited to those areas where travel is difficult. It is important to say that we are doing all we can to ensure continuity of critical services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and pre-natal care for expectant mothers.
“We are also taking steps in affected counties to prioritise people living alone and who need home support or community healthcare visits. If you are in any doubt or worried please contact your service, however for the most part, if you haven’t heard from us your appointment or the service you attend is not impacted at this time.
“Finally, despite the extremely difficult conditions in some parts of the country, we would urge anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local emergency department for treatment. As always, our emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/7.”
SHUTTING UP SHOP
Elsewhere, a Limerick shop owner has been forced to close a number of stores following the heavy snow.
Kay Mulclaire, who runs Isobel’s Boutique in Adare, Co Limerick, said she has been left with no choice but to close up until conditions settle down.
She told Today with Claire Byrne that the decision was made on Saturday evening in order to ensure her staff were safe.
She added that there is now at least 20cm of snow on the ground in the area.
The snowfall has become so heavy that Kay also “could not even get out of her house if she wanted to.”
And it is not only her own store that has been forced to close, but most in Adare have followed.
She said: “If it freezes tonight, we are going nowhere.”
POST PAIN
She also noted that this week is typically the one in which major deliveries arrive from suppliers with the next season collection.
“Adverse road conditions” and severe power outages have also led to a major impact on An Post’s delivery services.
Letter and parcel delivery services, as well as post offices, are being impacted in certain parts of the country.
In an update this morning, An Post confirmed that it would “not be possible” for letter or parcel deliveries on the majority of routes in Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and some parts of Wicklow.
They also noted that if conditions improve, the will attempt to make deliveries but only if it is safe to do so.
Post offices in the same counties are also impacted and while some may be able to open later once power and access are restored.
‘SAFETY FIRST’
But for some counties, these will remain closed for the entire day.
Bosses said: “An Post will proceed on a Safety First basis and resume delivery and Post Office services as soon as safety and local access allow.”
Elsewhere, a Wicklow mountain rescue team has slammed “idiotic” drivers for bringing families on impassable roads during the hazardous conditions.
Significant snowfall left roads in Wicklow Mountains National Park in a treacherous condition, leading Wicklow’s mountain rescue teams to issue a safety warning pleading motorists to stay away.
However, Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team took to social media to blast drivers for travelling along impassable roads.
MOUNTAIN MAYHEM
They fumed: “While we’re here to help, and we will help, people need to take some personal responsibility.
“This weather warning is well advertised and is due to continue for a number of days. Taking your family on impassable roads, during a weather warning, in vehicles not suitable for the conditions is just idiotic.
“Please take the warnings seriously.”
They added that multiple mountain rescue units were forced to help over a dozen people ‘”stuck in multiple vehicles on impassable roads in the Wicklow Mountains” on Sunday evening.
POWER PROBLEMS
Almost 80,000 people have been left without power or water overnight following heavy snowfall across the country.
ESB Networks said it is working to restore power to as many as 41,000 homes, farms and businesses.
But they have warned that this could be days before some are reconnected – and more could see further outages.
WATER WOES
Uisce Eireann has also warned that 40,000 people are now without a water supply this morning.
Munster and south Leinster today bore the brunt of the snow under the nationwide Status Yellow warning.
Tens of thousands have woken up to power outages after a night of rain, sleet and snow throughout Ireland.
Counties in the south and southeast have been worst hit by snow as the cold snap continues.
ROAD SAFETY ADVICE
Motorists – Before setting off:
- Check tyres, including the spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. Check that tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure.
When driving:
- Manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
- Use dipped headlights when visibility is reduced. Use your fog lights if visibility drops below 100 metres. Turn fog lights off when visibility improves.
- Avoid harsh braking, steering and acceleration.
Pedestrians:
- If a journey cannot be avoided, be extremely careful as frost, ice and snow will make walking on footpaths very dangerous.
- Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
- Remember that footpaths may not be treated so walk with extreme care.
Motorcyclists, E-scooters and Cyclists :
- Don’t compromise your safety by your ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions.
- Cancel your journey if it is not essential or take alternative transport.
- Be Safe, Be Seen, visibility is reduced in snowy conditions. For e-scooters and those cycling, wear a Sam Browne Bandoleer belt or high visibility vest and ensure the lights are working correctly – appropriate front and rear lights
- Cyclists need to exercise extreme caution during this cold weather spell. While key arterial routes are being gritted, there are many cycle routes that may not be gritted.
The counties worst hit by these power outages were Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois and Wicklow.
There have also been around 15,000 people in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Tipperary who have been hit, with another 33,000 at risk of losing water services due to bursts in the system.
Those in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary have seen the worst impacts of water outages.
They also warned that another 30,000 are now at risk of losing supply due to low reservoir levels.
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