MOTORISTS woke up to a real nightmare this Sunday morning after a big overnight freeze left a number of roads in a highly dangerous state, with black ice reported in several areas.
A number of minor accidents were reported, with some vehicles careering off the road, and Kerry County Council issued an appeal to all drivers to take extra care and only to venture out if absolutely necessary.
Temperatures plummeted to as low as minus five degrees overnight and the problem was compounded by heavy rainfall in some areas which led to highly hazardous conditions.
A number of local roads in and around Killarney were treacherous and council officials warned the public to be particularly careful in some local car parks which were very slippery.
The main Killarney-Tralee road was also very dangerous in places and minor roads proved a particular risk to those behind the wheel.
Council crews were salting the main routes from early on Saturday evening and they worked through the night to ensure roads were as safe as possible.
The N21 Castleisland bypass road was closed for much of the morning with traffic heading in the direction of Killarney being diverted through Castleisland town.
Met Éireann has warned that this Sunday night will again be very cold
with overnight temperatures expected to dip to between minus three and minus five degrees with frost forming.
Some mist or fog patches may form overnight and the bad news for drivers is that they can expect more of the same on Monday.
