12km tailbacks on old N3 after cows close M3

Loose cattle on both carriageways of the M3 has caused chaos for commuters this morning.

AA Roadwatch were reporting tailbacks on the southbound diversion route of 12km.

Emergency services are were at the scene of a multi-vehicle collision involving cattle on the M3 but it's believed that both lanes have reopened in the last hour

The road was closed in both directions at the northbound toll plaza and southbound at the J7 Skryne/Kilmessan exit following an incident involving up to five vehicles.

Commuters were being urged to divert to the N2 if possible, while another incident at Batterstown was compounding drivers misery this morning.

AA Roadwatch had reported at 7am this morning that the M3 was closed southbound after J6 Dunshaughlin following a multi-vehicle crash involving cattle.

It is understood that up to five cars could have been involved in the collision with no information in relation to injuries to the occupants of the cars

 

 Commuters commented on the Meath Chronicle Facebook page that some cars wee turning to go down wrong way on motorway to escape the tailbacks and that Dublin bound traffic diverted onto the N3 toward Dunshaughlin was at a crawl.

Bus passenger Simon Bond endured a three hour journey on the 109. 'Just at Parnell Square now on 7.20am bus from Navan.'

- Thanks to car passenger Laura Carolan for sending the pic. If you have any images (taken safely) please send them onto us as gavan.becton@meathchronicle.ie