NORTHERN IRELAND:NORTHERN IRELAND was last night bracing itself for its coldest night on record as the freezing conditions continued to cause widespread disruption including the cancellation of a trip for seriously ill children to Lapland.
The Meteorological Office yesterday warned that the record low temperature of -18 degree recorded in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, on Sunday was likely to be broken last night by temperatures possibly as low as -20 degree in parts of Northern Ireland.
The coldest place on Monday night was in Katesbridge, Co Down, where the temperature fell to -17 degree.
Hundreds of schools remained closed yesterday with many deciding to call their Christmas holidays a day or two early.
Road conditions were very hazardous, especially on secondary roads. The PSNI issued several warnings for motorists to slow down and drive extremely cautiously after a number of minor accidents in the slippery conditions exacerbated the disruption. There was also severe disruption of train and bus services. The ambulance service suspended operations for non-emergency cases which mainly affected outpatient appointments to hospitals and clinics.
A spokesman said renal, cancer and other emergency cases would be prioritised. The service was also coming under pressure to get patients suitable for discharge home for Christmas.
Frozen footpaths, with ice over compacted snow, was making life very difficult for pedestrians, especially for older people.
Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove, Co Antrim, and the George Best Belfast City Airport opened during the day but a number of flights were cancelled, diverted or delayed.
More than 100 seriously ill children also suffered the disappointment of learning that their flight to Lapland to meet Santa Claus today was called off. The Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust had raised more than £100,000 (€118,000) for the trip. Trust chairman Jack Rodgers said it was a “crushing disappointment” for the children and the organisers.
