SAND BAGS are being distributed in the next hour as the swollen River Slaney begins to burst its banks following a night of heavy rainfall.

Enniscorthy Town Council will be making sand bags  available in Irish Street and Templeshannon to residents and businesses in flood risk areas.

The town has been placed on flood alert, with the river continuing to rise considerably and low-lying  land surrounding it being submerged under water. High tide is expected in the afternoon.

Motorists are being urged to drive with care as the heavy rain and strong winds continue to batter the country, and Met Éireann is forecasting more rain for later in parts of the south and east.