Gardaí are advising motorists of treacherous conditions on the M18 motorway this lunchtime.
It follows two separate road crashes on the northbound and southbound lanes between Crusheen and Gort just before twelve o'clock.
In the first of two accidents on the M18 motorway this afternoon, three cars left the road on the northbound lane about a mile north of Crusheen.
Emergency services were alerted and minutes later a further two cars collided on the southbound lane.
It followed a hail shower, which combined with heavy rain led to what emergency services have described as treacherous conditions on the road.
The northbound lane has been closed with cars being diverted at Junction 15 Crusheen, while diversions are also in place on the southbound lane with anyone travelling from Gort being asked to travel via the Old Crusheen road.
There have been wintry showers around the country today and Met Éireann is warning there may be more to come.
Forecaster Pat Clarke says they were expecting the recent mild spell to come to an end this week.
Gardaí are advising motorists to slow down and drive with care when out on our roads this afternoon.
