Mayo schools to remain open despite overnight Status Orange snow warning

The Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O'Brien has confirmed there will be no school closures during the coming week of sub-zero weather conditions.

A snow and ice warning comes into effect for Mayo at 11.30 p.m. tonight and runs until noon on Monday.

Speaking after the meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group this morning, he said life will go on as normal - but advised people to take care.

However, the situation will be reviewed on a daily basis by the group, Met Éireann having extended its nationwide Status Yellow low temperature/ice warning until 12 noon on Friday.

Met Éireann said the cold temperatures could lead to treacherous conditions on footpaths and roads, traffic disruption, burst water pipes and damage to vehicle engines.

It added there is increased risks to vulnerable members of the community.

A Status Orange low temperature and ice warning for the country comes into at 5 p.m. today until noon tomorrow, with temperatures likely to drop as low as -five or six.

A snow and ice warning comes into effect for Mayo at 11.30 p.m. tonight until noon on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Ballintubber Abbey Christmas Concert scheduled for tonight has been postponed.

Christ Church in Castlebar has announced that its annual Carols Service, planned for tomorrow night, has been cancelled due to the weather.

Other scheduled events throughout the county are likely to follow a similar path until Friday at least.

The Ballintubber Tractor Run has been rescheduled for December 17 after being postponed yesterday.