Other News In Brief

ESB Announces €1.2billion Meter Replacement Programme

ESB Networks has announced a programme to upgrade the country's electric meters, in a scheme set to take four years.

Beginning this autumn, the initial focus will be on replacing older meters.

TLI Group Limited, KN Network Services (Ire) Limited, and MD Electrical Installations Limited will handle the installation service framework contracts, while Three Ireland has been awarded the contract to provide communications.

The entire programme will cost in the region of €1.2bn, which includes the purchase of modern meters and supporting infrastructure, framework installation contracts and the cost of the communications network.

No Serious Injuries Following Five-Vehicle Incident On Galway Motorway

A number of people have escaped injury following a crash involving five vehicles on the M18 motorway in County Galway.

The alarm was raised at around 10.15am on Wednesday 16 January and emergency services rushed to the scene between junctions 17 and 18 of the route.

The north-south bound carriageways were also affected.

Fire units from Athenry and Gort responded along with ambulances from Galway and Clare and several garda units.

The Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) air ambulance was also mobilised to the scene.

Ambulance paramedics assessed the occupants of all the vehicles and after establishing that no one had been injured, stood down the air ambulance.

Motorway maintenance crews worked to clear the road motorway of debris and oil and assessed damaged caused to crash barriers.

The northbound lanes were reopened about an hour after the collision, with restrictions on the southbound carriageway lifted a short time later.

Met Éireann Warns Of Freezing Temperatures Overnight

Temperatures are set to fall below freezing tonight, Wednesday 16 January.

Met Éireann has issued a warning that all parts of the region will be affected by temperatures of -1 and -2 degrees overnight.

The colder conditions are expected to continue towards the weekend.

Ahead of the freezing temperatures, there will be dry and sunny weather for the rest of today but showers will follow this evening with the risk of thunder.



(JG/CM)