EXPLAINER: Tipperary schools to stay closed with rail and courts services also hit by snow
Be advised!
Almost all schools in Tipperary are expected to be closed on Monday due to the snowstorm that swept across the county over the weekend - which was followed by sub-zero temperatures on Sunday night.
A Status Yellow for Tipperary has been issued with further falls of sleet and snow with snowfall accumulations expected.
Potential impacts include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility and travel disruption.
It is valid from 5pm Sunday until midnight on Monday.
Meanwhile, a Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning for Ireland is in place from 5pm on Sunday until noon on Thursday of this week.
There will be very cold nights with widespread frost and ice. Temperatures struggling to get above freezing during the day.
The latest Tipperary schools to confirm their closure have been the Abbey School in Tipperary Town, Coláiste Dún Iascaigh in Cahir, Coláiste Cois Siúire and CBS High School, as well as many others earlier in the day on Sunday.
Power outages continued to affect thousands of homes in the Premier County - which has been one of the worst hit by the snowstorm.
Meanwhile, Nenagh branch rail line services will be suspended on Monday morning.
Iarnród Éireann has advised customers that it expects all routes except one to operate on Monday morning, but to be aware of the possibility of delays in areas affected by the current snow/ice weather event.
The company expects rail services to operate on all routes across the network with one exception: the Nenagh branch line (Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh) will not operate on Monday morning, due to weather conditions - replacement bus services will not be possible due to road conditions.
The situation will be reviewed in mid-morning for this route.
Customers on routes in all affected areas are advised that there may be some delays dependent on overnight weather.
Railway infrastructure teams will continue to work across key rail routes in the early hours of the morning to ensure any issues are identified and resolved prior to first trains.
Elsewhere, due to weather conditions: Carlow and Kilkenny Courthouses will not open on Monday.
Court offices opening times and court sittings in four counties are put back to 12 noon on Monday: in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.
Updates will appear on courts.ie newsfeed when any other news is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, HSE Mid West wishes to advise patients who have appointments across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary community and hospital services on Monday, January 6 to expect disruption to services, including the cancellation of clinic appointments.
Patients should only attend their appointments if they have phoned ahead to confirm it is taking place and that it is safe for them to travel.
If patients are unable to make contact with the clinic, we will contact them directly. All cancelled appointments will be rescheduled over the coming days. HSE Mid West we will be reviewing all services on a day by day basis as the cold weather is expected to continue well into the coming week.
The statement added: "We expect to have some staffing deficits due to the weather, however planning is ongoing to ensure we are able to run as many services as possible.
"If you are unwell you should consider all available healthcare options, including local pharmacies, your GP, or the out-of-hours GP service.
"Many GP practices in the Mid West are offering extended opening hours. Please contact your GP to check availability and services near you.
"We encourage people to take extreme care as they go out and about to prevent slips, trips and falls. Injury Units are open in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, every day. Injury Units can treat broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns.
"The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick remains open 24-7 for patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies.
"Anyone attending the ED with a less urgent condition may face long waiting times as the hospital continues to manage high attendances along with high numbers of patients with flu.
"Cold weather can be harder on older people and on other vulnerable members of the community and relatives and neighbours are encouraged to check in on them – in person or over the phone - over the coming days."