Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Ireland are without water and electricity amid a bitter cold snap that has left people stranded in their homes and cars abandoned. The severe winter weather has led to the closure of some schools and some public transport restrictions as well as the cancellation of several healthcare services.

Ireland is in the midst of a worsening cold snap, with daytime temperatures barely above freezing and nighttime lows plunging to -8C. Met Eireann has issued a new five-day weather warning and given a date for when temperatures begin to rise.

Further snow is expected in parts of the region The Met Office says a Yellow weather warning will be in place for parts of the East Midlands from midnight to midday on Monday with further snow in places,