Recent heavy rainfall has caused havoc in parts of the country, as Met Eireann has issued a number of other wintry weather warnings.

Up to 40mm of rain was forecast to fall in parts of the country late on Tuesday night and up until 9:00pm on Wednesday. There was a possibility of accumulations being higher in certain areas.

Flooding has been particularly bad in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, after a number of rivers burst their banks. One farmer was left with approximately 60 weanlings stranded in a field after the floodwaters rose significantly in the space of a few hours.

Sinn Fein TD Carol Nolan has called on the government to ensure that victims of flooding receive financial assistance as soon as possible.

Commenting on the situation, Deputy Nolan said: “I welcome the fact that that the government has announced that the Humanitarian Assistance scheme will be provided to those affected by flooding and I call on them to make this funding available as soon as possible.

I understand that this funding will be made available to assist people whose homes have been damaged and who are not in a position to meet costs for basic and essential items and some structural repairs.

“In the run up to christmas, with up to 40 families evacuated in Mountmellick, it is vital to ensure that this funding reaches communities as soon as possible.”

Wintry weather warnings

Meanwhile, Met Eireann has also issued a number of other wintry weather warnings for the coming hours.

A status yellow snow-ice warning has been issued earlier today. Scattered snow showers are likely tonight and will be most frequent in Ulster and Connacht. The warning is set to be valid from 5:00am tomorrow morning (Friday, November 24) until 12:00pm on the following day.

Another status yellow temperature warning will be valid for a 12-hour period from 11:00pm tonight.

Temperatures are set to drop to as low as -4º in places, Met Eireann explained.