TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said people may be found dead in their homes in the coming days after the 'Beast from the East' battered Ireland with snow.
Speaking to TV3 News, the Irish prime minister explained that a number of deaths may have been caused by the freak storm.
Mr Varadkar said: “There have actually been a number of deaths very sadly.
“Well there have been a couple of car accidents and I suppose it’s difficult to know whether they were caused by the storm or whether they would have happened in any case.
Met Eireann have issued an orange warning for Leinster. Deep lying snow remaining in places. Risk of localised flooding due to thaw. Frost and icy conditions expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Drivers need to slow down and watch out for walkers and cyclists. #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/rQ8fJYz9pV
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) March 5, 2018
"And of course there is the possibility that as we clear the road, as we get out to isolated areas that we may find people dead in their homes in the coming days".
Mr Varadkar also thanked the emergency services for their efforts, saying the situation could have been much worse without them.
He added: "I think it’s true to say that things could have been very much worse if it wasn’t for the enormous response from the public service.
"The gardaí, the health service, the defence forces, civil defence, all the different voluntary groups as well who have really pulled together in the last couple of days."
