The River Shannon is continuing to rise as many parts of the country deal with heavy flooding.

More heavy rain is expected today and on Wednesday.

A number of towns are still at high risk including Bandon, Tralee, Killarney, Crossmolina, Ballina, Ballinasloe and Athlone. 

Sean Defoe reports:

The government's under fire from residents of towns and villages affected by the flooding for its failure to address the problem.

The Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Simon Harris says a series of flood relief schemes are underway:

In the UK, it's been confirmed a number of people have lost their lives after Storm Desmond swept across Cumbria, Lancashire and Northumberland.

One of those victims was an elderly man - his body was recovered from the River Kent in Kendall after a weekend of record rainfall.

Meanwhile Britain's Environment Agency says more than 5-thousand homes and businesses have been flooded.