*Photograph: John Mangan
ROAD CONDITIONS WILL remain dangerous on Saturday evening and into the early hours of Sunday.
Motorists have been advised not to travel unless necessary with the presence of ice to remain on roads across the county, increasing the risk of accidents.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo, “We are advising the public to only travel if absolutely necessary, and if you are doing so, extreme caution should be exercised. Do not make unnecessary journeys where possible”.
“Road users should be advised that widespread icy conditions are expected and that ice free surfaces cannot be guaranteed even on treated roads,” the spokesperson added.
Temperatures are forecast to rise overnight but black ice is likely to remain on rural and local roads sheltered from the breeze. There will be moderate winds on Sunday with occasional rain, temperatures will rise to twelve degrees and potentially higher in coastal areas of Clare.
Several crashes have occurred at different locations across the county. This includes a multi-car crash at the Spa Wells junction in Lisdoonvarna while a number of cars are off the road from Lisdoonvarna to Ennistymon and likewise from Lisdoonvarna to Kilfenora. The L1014 Carron to Bellharbour Rd is also treacherous with vehicles stuck on the road. An ice rink had been created in certain parts of North Clare with the rain, wet roads and freezing conditions.
Members of the Clare County and Fire Rescue Services have been situated on the road between Kilmaley and Inagh since Saturday afternoon assisting stranded motorists with multiple cars off the road or unable to move due to sheets of ice.
Crashes have also been reported in East Clare, in locations such as Bodyke. The R352 from Scariff to Mountshannon is among the more dangerous routes at present. Locals in Scariff have said they can never recall the roads being in such condition before.
Plenty of homeowners in rural parts of Clare have been boxed into their homes with conditions too dangerous to risk travelling.
