Across the country transport, schools, and sporting fixtures are hard hit by heavy falls of snow.
Nowhere in Ireland has escaped the onslaught of winter and the entire country is covered in snow. The worst affected areas are the midlands and north. In counties Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal the depth of snow is 6 inches or more.
All schools in Monaghan are to close and in Northern Ireland schools in rural areas, particularly around Omagh and Dungannon will also be shut.
Road conditions are extremely bad in the north with both motorways down to one lane of traffic in each direction and many country roads impassable. In the south and midlands, counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Cork have experienced heavy snowfalls however,
All main roads are open and traffic is moving albeit slowly, although there have been a spate of minor accidents.
Traffic has been reduced to a crawl on the Naas dual carriageway and the new bypass. The Automobile Association has advised motorists not to travel unless it is completely necessary as freezing temperatures are turning ice into slush and creating very dangerous conditions.
A number of sporting fixtures have been postponed or cancelled including the Munster Club GAA Football Final and all League of Ireland soccer matches.
On a positive note, air travel has not been too badly affected accept in north where Aldergrove Airport closed. Sea services are also getting back to normal after storms at the weekend.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 January 1984. The reporter is Alan McCullough.
