It follows claims from a Fianna Fáil TD, following a collision between his vehicle and a deer, that the deer population in Ireland is out of control and culling needs to continue.

Road users are asked to take an alternative route.

Deputy Martin Kenny says that although the announcement today is progress, he still has concerned about the service being delivered on schedule

Families requiring the service in the South Leitrim region have been forced to travel to North Leitrim or out of the county to access the vital support.

Crews are working to restore power.

Dorothy Shannon says the idea is to offer the dinner to anyone who's alone this Christmas or feels isolated.

€1,582,529 in total is to go to 16 different community centres across Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon.

Several of the flock were also injured in the incident.