A 16-kilometre stretch of the M18 has been closed in both directions while emergency services deal with a traffic incident.
The route between Crusheen and Gort is expected to remain closed for some time after a truck carrying livestock left the road.
Gardaí responded to the incident at around 11am while fire crews from Ennis and Gort were also alerted.
Traffic Infrastructure Ireland maintenance crews are also at the scene.
While the incident occurred in the hard-shoulder of the northbound carriageway, a decision was taken to close the southbound lanes so that the cattle and be safely transferred from one truck to another.
The truck’s inside wheels are bogged down in the soft ground inside the hard shoulder leaving the vehicle titling dangerously.
Efforts are now underway to secure the truck before work can begin to transfer the animals to another vehicle.
Traffic is being diverted off the route northbound at junction 15 at Crusheen and in the opposite direction at junction 16 at Gort.
There is also tailback of traffic for about a kilometre behind the incident.
It’s expected the transfer operation and subsequent removal of the truck could take several hours.
Meanwhile, separately, emergency services are at the scene of a cement truck overturning on the N18 near the turn off for the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Ennis road.
It’s understood the road is now closed southbound with traffic being diverted off at exit 5 Cratloe.
Gardai believe it will be 3 to 4 hours before the route is reopened and are advising motorists to use alternative routes where possible.
