A 16-kilometre stretch of the M18 motorway has been closed in both directions between Crusheen Co Clare and Gort in Galway.

Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has questioned Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughton about the standing down of the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

Garda divers, Clare Civil Defence and the Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat have joined the search for a woman reported missing at the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare last night.

An apartment building in Ennis was evacuated early today after a fire was reported on the premises.

The first emergency callout to an area covered by the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard, which was taken out of service on Monday, occurred last night (Wednesday).

Meetings between Irish Coast Guard management and members of the Doolin unit of the volunteer service are being held today (Wednesday) after the station was stood down on Monday following a number of shock resignations.

Members of one of the country’s most experienced Irish Coast Guard units are no longer allowed to respond to emergencies. This follows a decision on Monday by the Irish Coast Guard to take the Doolin unit in Co Clare ‘off the board.’

Firefighters from two Clare stations have dealt with a blaze at a commercial premises in Ennis this afternoon.