Schools and colleges told to stay closed after red alerts are extended

ALL schools and colleges across the country will be closed today as Hurricane Ophelia hits the country at daybreak.

Following the extension of the Status Red weather warning to the whole country last night, the Department of Education issued a statement ordering all schools, colleges and other education institutions to remain closed.

The Status Red warning initially covered counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo before it was extended to cover Waterford and Wexford. However, last night it was extended further to include the entire country.

“For parents, this means that their children will not attend school [today] in any area where there is a Status Red wind alert already announced or announced in the intervening time,” said a department spokesman.

Met Éireann’s Status Red warning advises that “action is taken” to protect against the possible effects of severe weather.

Sean Hogan, national director for fire and emergency management, also “strongly advised” all schools to remain closed.

“Because of the duty of care owed to children and because of the risks while travelling, we are strongly advising all schools and childcare facilities not to open,” he said.

Bus Éireann has cancelled all school bus services.

“We are aware this decision may cause inconvenience, but safety of schoolchildren is our number one priority,” it said.

Third-level institutions will also close today, with the University of Limerick instructing all its campus residents to stay indoors for the duration of the storm.

It said it was closing in the interest of the safety of students and staff.

It said that the students would be supported by its security teams.

The Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) has also closed its five campuses today.

“Due to a Status Red weather alert for a Category 3 hurricane, all five GMIT campuses will be closed. Lectures will resume as normal on Tuesday.

“In the meantime, we encourage all students and staff to stay safe during this weather alert,” it said.