Rainfall alert in Republic of Ireland as some school buses cancelled

A track vehicle was used to transport schoolchildren in Longford

A rainfall alert has been issued for the Republic of Ireland with the counties of Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan most at risk of flash flooding.

RTÉ reports that up to 25 millimetres (one inch) of rain are forecast to fall in some areas.

Civil defence volunteers are to help with the transport of some children to school.

Parents have been told some school transport services will not operate.

These include along a number of bus routes in parts of Galway, Roscommon, Cavan, Monaghan and Offaly.

The rainfall alert is in place until 23:00 local time

Civil defence volunteers in Roscommon and Longford are transporting children though the floods by track vehicles and boats.

Hundreds of roads are closed or severely restricted because of flooding in the Shannon catchment area.

The rainfall alert issued by the Irish national meteorological service, Met Éireann, is in place until 23:00 local time on Wednesday.