The opening today of the final 57km of the M17 M18 motorway will not only bring immediate economic benefits to towns and cities along the Atlantic Economic Corridor but it will support the development of the entire Shannon basin and act as the mobility backbone that improves the north-south flow along the Wild Atlantic Way.

A video showing a van smashing through a level crossing in Co Galway on Monday, shockingly shows a cyclist riding across the tracks just seconds later.

Gardaí in Galway are searching for the driver of a white van who ploughed through a level crossing yesterday just seconds before a train was due to pass.

The opening of the Gort to Tuam section of the M17/M18 motorway ahead of schedule will give investors an alternative to Dublin and Leinster and provide access to a larger population and labour markets in the west of Ireland including Co Clare.

Irish Water has been granted planning permission for essential upgrade works to the Gort Water Treatment Plant to ensure a consistently high water quality for local homes and businesses.

Three people were injured in a road traffic collision in Co Clare this afternoon while the occupants of four cars had a lucky escape following separate incidents on the M18.

Gardaí are investigating the cause of a fire at a building in Co Galway last night.

The M18 motorway connecting counties Clare and Galway has been closed in both directions following at least two multi-vehicle collisions.

One man has been hospitalised after a truck overturned onto a parked van in Co Galway this evening.