Body Recovered In Search For Missing Garda

Search teams working to locate missing Garda Ciaran Jones have found a body close to where Mr Jones was swept away last night. The body has not yet been officially identified.

Mr Jones, 25, was swept away at Ballysmuttan Bridge, on the upper reaches of the River Liffey, at around 7pm last night. The officer was attempting to keep people safe from dangerous floods at the bridge.

The Garda helicopter, Irish Coastguard and several mountain rescue teams are involved in the operation.

Superintendent Eamon Keogh, of Blessington Garda Station, said Garda Jones – a member of the force for about four years – was pulled into the river while trying to come to the aid of a motorist.

"He was seen for a few moments by friends and then he wasn't seen again," he said.

Meanwhile the body of a Filipino woman has been found been in a flooded basement in Dublin.

The woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, drowned after her apartment became submerged.

Neighbours raised the alarm at around 11pm last night.

"A preliminary search of the basement was carried out by the Garda Water Unit at about 1am with negative results," a garda statement said.

"The body of a female was located earlier this morning when water was pumped from the basement by Dublin Fire Brigade."

Dangerous Conditions

A major emergency has been declared in the Dublin region following widespread flooding.

Last night passengers were trapped in a Dublin bus by floodwater and there has been widespread disruption to the public transport service in Dublin.

Meanwhile major disruption was caused to shop owners last night in Dundrum Shopping Centre when the centre had to be evacuated due to first floor flooding.

The River Slang burst its banks and created a surge of water, which flowed through the lower level of the centre.

Getting Back To Normal

In a statement the Garda have reported: "Flood waters have now by and large receded overnight however there is still flooding in the following areas: Parnell Road, Harolds Cross Road, Wolfe Tone Quay, Belgard Road, Strawberry Beds, N11 at UCD."

They added: "The main arterial routes are now open. However driving conditions are challenging motorists are asked to be aware of debris on the roads following last night's heavy rain.

"The local authorities are currently working to clear debris and obstructions," said the statement.

Meanwhile transport services in and around the capital were returning to normal this morning, with commuters however still experiencing some delays.

Irish Rail warned passengers that while services on DART, Northern Commuter and Maynooth lines resumed, there are significant delays of up to an hour in some cases.

The delays were down to speed restrictions and flood damage to signalling equipment.

Dublin Bus said most of its services are operating as normal today, however adverse weather conditions mean a number of diversions and curtailments are in place, details of which can be found on the company's website.

(LB/BMcC)