Galway Bay fm newsroom - 27/01/20 9am
The eastbound lane of the M6 Motorway at Loughrea could remain closed for several hours following a number of crashes this morning.
Gardai are warning motorists to exercise extreme caution on roads this morning - particularly on motorways -following adverse weather conditions and a series of road crashes.
Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a number of crashes on the M6, M17 and M18 motorways and heavy traffic is to be expected in all areas.
It follows challenging weather conditions overnight and into this morning, including heavy hail and sleet showers east of Galway City.
The M6 is currently closed westbound at Junction 16 Loughrea due to a number of collisions between there and Junction 17 Athenry - diversions are now in place.
It's understood one involves a large articulated lorry which could leave the road closed for a considerable length of time.
There's also been reports of crashes on the eastbound side.
Meanwhile, there's been two crashes on the M18 northbound between Junction 17 Kilternan and Junction 18 Rathmorrisey.
The M17 was closed for a time between Junction 20 Tuam and Junction 19 Annagh Hill following a crash, but has now reopened.
Gardai say while the M6 at Loughrea is the only stretch of motorway which has been fully closed; traffic is heavy on all routes and there has been a significant number of crashes which are being dealt with.
Meanwhile, AA Roadwatch is warning that the N67 has delays northbound from Clarinbridge to Creganna, and it's also particularly heavy towards Oranmore on the R446 Loughrea Rd.
