Flooding closes roads and disrupts travel across Tipperary, Wexford, and Kilkenny

Sarah Slater

In Tipperary, the R-665 Convent Road in Clonmel is closed due to flooding. Tipperary County Council is asking motorists to use the R671 instead.

After several days of persistent rainfall, the River Suir has risen, with overtopping in several areas.

Flood protection and maintenance teams, together with the Office of Public Works, have been actively monitoring and managing the situation throughout the week.

The flood protection system is performing exactly as designed and continues to safeguard the town.

Council staff remain on standby should conditions change.

Wicklow County Council is carrying out gritting operations due to ice being forecast tonight on significant stretches of the road network. Due to flooding in various parts, the council management said that it will “not be possible to undertake the normal extent of gritting."

The council is advising that drivers should proceed with caution as some sections of the road network are not being gritted.

Aughrim Tidy Towns, in coordination with the Civil Defence and the council, have arranged for the Pavilion in Aughrim to remain open tonight for anyone affected by flooding or who does not feel comfortable staying at home. Beds are available.

In Enniscorthy, flood waters are receding slowly due to the ebb tide after coming within three inches of breaking a record for water levels. However, levels are due to rise again by around midnight (Tuesday into Wednesday), which is being exacerbated by the volume of water coming down the river Slane,y which is increasing.

Wexford Bus has said that their route 376 to Carlow is suspended as Bunclody remains impassable, and route 740 is diverted at Enniscorthy due to the quays being closed.

Instead, passengers are asked to use the Oylegate stop or along the Main Road outside J Donhoe Motors in Quarrypark.

Route W108, the Enniscorthy pick-up point, is now located by the Gardaí Station/ Library. Customers North of Enniscorthy on Route 740 may expect delays. The bus service provider apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Kilkenny County Council is urging motorists and members of the public to avoid Thomastown as the quay is badly flooded.

In Tullow, Carlow, water levels in the River Slaney are very high, and the council is monitoring the situation.