CO COUNCIL DECLARES ITSELF “WINTER READY” AS MONAGHAN BRACES FOR COLD SNAP

Monaghan Co Council was “winter ready” and prepared for the difficult road conditions anticipated over the coming days as a severe cold snap settled throughout the country, Acting Director of Transportation Services Gareth McMahon told Monday’s meeting of the local authority. Met Éireann said yesterday, Wednesday that the weather in Co Monaghan was due to turn very cold and the spell would continue into early next week as an Arctic airmass set in.

Sharp to severe frosts, and the formation of ice and black ice on roads and footpaths, was anticipated and there was a risk of hailstone showers. The national weather service said that some showers of hail, sleet, and snow would occur and there was potential for freezing fog, especially at the weekend.

The severe weather conditions being anticipated were referred to at Monday’s Council meeting by Sinn Féin representative Noel Keelan, who asked if the local authority had plans in place and if there were sufficient salt supplies and equipment to ensure roads were kept clear in the county’s towns and villages. Independent councillor Hugh McElvaney asked if an increase in winter maintenance funding had been made in the roads budget for this year. Councillor McElvaney reiterated recent pleas that the Bog Road in the Scotstown area be included in the Council’s winter maintenance…