East and south of county worst hit in Big Freeze

Heavy snow showers that wreaked havoc on the east of the country in recent days have severely affected east and south Meath this week with council staff battling yesterday (Tuesday) to keep roads in the area passable. While most of the county escaped the worst of the latest snowfall and experienced just minor snow showers, the east of the county, including Bettystown, Laytown, Julianstown, Bellewstown, Ardcath and Stamullen, were among the worst affected areas. These areas were hit by two snowfalls on Monday night and early yesterday (Tuesday) morning, leaving road conditions extremely hazardous for motorists. Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath also experienced heavy snowfall as a band of snow that caused chaos in Dublin hit these areas of south Meath during the commute home on Monday evening. Meath County Council deployed snowploughs to areas in east and south Meath yesterday (Tuesday) in an effort to keep routes in the area passable and the Army was called in to provide assistance in Bettystown, Ashbourne and Dunboyne to clear footpaths. Slane was also affected by the severe weather and throughout the county temperatures have plummeted with temperatures hitting lows of minus -14 to -16 in some parts of the county. Meath County Council has continued to focus on roads identified on their winter gritting map. Side roads and back roads continue to be treachorous in many parts of the county and motorists are advised to drive with caution and only undertake essential journeys and preferably in daylight hours. A council spokesperson has confirmed that there are no concerns regarding salt supplies in Meath and that the council is receiving regular deliveries and is sticking to its Winter Maintenance Plan's gritting routes. She said the emphasis has been on keeping the main arteries open and that the council is dealing with other parts of the county as best it can and crews are spreading grit on some local roads. She said council staff are dealing with blackspots in the county such as hills and junctions and anywhere travel is difficult. The spokesperson said local deposits of grit are still in place at strategic locations and communities are encouraged to avail of this grit to help clear footpaths and other access areas. Meath County Council's Severe Weather Management Group is continuing to be meet twice a day and is constantly monitoring the weather forecast. Members of the Defence Forces were assisting with the clearing of paths in Bettystown, Ashbourne and Dunboyne on Tuesday and were also due to be deployed to Slane and Duleek. The Irish Red Cross's emergency plan was back in action from Saturday and the Meath branch has been providing assistance in the worst-hit parts of the county. There were some disruptions to bus services in the region due to the severe weather with services between Drogheda and Donore and Drogheda and Laytown cancelled. The Cavan-Athboy route was operating between Cavan and Granard only and Nightrider services to Meath were cancelled last night (Tuesday). Navan District Court sittings due to take place yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) were also cancelled.