Floods cause Dublin traffic chaos

Dublin has been hit by torrential rain

There has been traffic chaos in Dublin after torrential rain fell in the city in the early hours of Thursday.

Fifteen days of rain fell in one hour at Dublin Airport in a series of thunder and lightning storms.

Flights have not been affected but intending passengers have been advised to give themselves more time because of the fear of traffic jams.

Many roads in the city - particularly along the coast - were flooded, as was the DART rail line.

A roof collapsed in the Mater Hospital in north Dublin, but there were no injuries. Patients at its accident and emergency department had to be moved because of flooding.

An apartment block in the city centre was also evacuated.

Council officials have been working to clear drains and advised that unless journeys were necessary they should not be undertaken until the situation normalised.