Update:
15.45 – The N18 Ennis to Limerick road at Clondrinagh has reopened following the earlier crash.
LIMERICK: Ennis Rd has reopened both ways between Clondrinagh R/A and Coonagh R/A following a collision. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr
— AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) May 29, 2017
Earlier: A man remains in a critical condition in hospital following an early morning crash close to the Limerick/Clare border.
The single-vehicle collision happened at around 2.30pm at Clondrinagh close to Coonagh Cross shopping centre.
The Black BMW lost control and ploughed through a roundabout before crossing the road and smashing into a large sign.
Fire crews from Limerick City used cutting equipment to remove the roof from the car before the man could be safely removed. He was rushed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment before being transferred later to Cork University Hospital where he is understood to have undergone surgery.
Section of the N18 was closed from the roundabout at the Radisson Hotel to Clondrinagh and was only reopened this afternoon after a forensic examination of the scene was concluded.
Before the car was removed from the scene, a garda sniffer dog was brought in to search the car and the area around the crash scene.
Traffic travelling from Clare to Limerick was badly affected with vehicles being redirected via the Old Cratloe Road or the Limerick Tunnel.
The road was reopened at around 3.00pm.