Clare County Council has officially requested the assistance of the Army in its flood defence efforts in the Springfield area of Clonlara, Southeast Clare.

Dozens of homes remain cut off after Storm Desmond in Clonlara and Springfield.

The Council says water levels rose dramatically last night in the Lower River Shannon, south of Parteen weir.

More bad weather is expected in the area today, with more strong winds and heavy rain expected in the west.

Members of the defence forces have also been deployed to nearby Castleconnell and Mountpellier in Co Limerick, which is on high alert of further flooding.

David Raleigh reports.