Yellow Weather Alert Issued as Storm Goretti Nears; Garda Chief Warns Drivers to Stay Vigilant

Dublin: Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for four counties in the south of Ireland as Storm Goretti approaches the country.

The advisory, prompted by a storm system named by Météo France, follows widespread travel disruption across Europe, where severe weather forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Paris and Amsterdam yesterday.

The warning applies to Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford beginning 12pm today and remaining in effect until 8pm.
Forecasters caution that hazardous conditions are expected, with heavy rain and strong winds likely.

Chief Superintendent Urges Road Users to Take Extreme Care

In a separate briefing, Chief Superintendent David Harrington has called on motorists to exercise “absolute vigilance” during the current winter period.

“Driving is not something that can be done half-heartedly—it requires 100% attention,” he said, noting a concerning rise in road fatalities.
A total of 26 people died on Irish roads over the Christmas period, with more than 70 additional collisions resulting in injuries.

Annual figures show 190 road deaths in 2025, up from 175 in 2024.

Between December 1 and January 5, Gardaí conducted approximately 10,000 checkpoints, resulting in:

• 765 arrests for drink or drug driving
• 1,700 fixed charge notices for mobile phone use while driving
• 450 notices for failure to wear a seat belt
• 26,500 drivers detected speeding by Garda units and enforcement cameras

Chief Superintendent Harrington urged drivers to avoid distractions, reduce speed, wear seat belts, and immediately report dangerous road behaviour.

He also highlighted enhanced enforcement tools, including the Traffic Truck, which monitors driving behaviour and assists with prosecutions, and 12 new speed detection cameras introduced last year, which he said are already delivering strong results.

“Every road user must understand their responsibility and the potential consequences of their actions,” he concluded.

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