Dublin Fire Brigade officers battled this car fire in Dublin's north inner last night.

The scene of the blaze was located in Empress Place near Connolly Station.

Officers had to use breathing equipment to protect themselves from any toxic fumes emanating from the Toyota Starlet.

Pix: Dublin Fire Brigade

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There are currently hundreds of homes without electricity in Co Kildare today.

Prosperous is now experiencing a planned service interruption.

Others areas hit by planned service interruptions today are Dunlavin and Kildangan.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

An online warning is now alerting people in Co Kildare to be aware of a phone scam.

A Co Kildare resident who contacted KildareNow via Facebook is urging people not to answer  +25244572244.

The resident said:"Don't answer number +25244572244 it rang our pay as you go phone here tonight and when answered took €18 from our phone money.
"Scam hitting pay as you go and contract customers."

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

This is a stunning 'funnel cloud' forming over Allen Hill yesterday.

The natural phenomenon was captured on camera by Edel Tiernan (below).

Funnel clouds form in turbulent skies near thunderstorms from types of clouds called cumulonimbus clouds.

In recent years, funnel clouds in Ireland have been known to cause damage to buildings.

In extreme cases, a funnel that touches the ground becomes a tornado and if it touches down over water, it is known as a water spout.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

A Co Kildare man drowned after getting into difficulty off the coast of Waterford, it emerged.

Tragic electrician Daniel Butler (38) from Athy was snorkeling in the water at Ardmore at around 6pm on Sunday when the alarm was raised.

Mr Butler, who lived in The Burroughs area in Coneyboro, is surved by his wife Marie.

The Coastguards helicopter airlifted the man from the water and he was rought to Waterford University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Mr Butler's parents Sean and Marian and sister Tracy were being comforted by family friends today.

His remains will repose at his parent’s residence, 25 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow from 2pm. until 8.30pm toorrow.

Removal from there on Thursday morning at 11.15am to St Michael’s Parish Church, Athy arriving for 12 noon Requiem Mass.

He will be buried afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

A Co Kildare councillor is appealing for a ban on smoking in playgrounds around the county.

Labour Cllr Aoife Breslin, who smoked for 20 years, is appealing for people not to smoke around their children.

Although she confessed that she smoked while pregnant with her 15-year-old son, she admits that it was an addiction, now she is urging people to not smoke in playgrounds or on the sidelines of football pitches. She gave up smoking four years ago.

Cllr Breslin said:"We all know the facts about smoking, we have to look after the vulnerable."

Research reveals that 82% of local authorities, across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, have either already implemented a smoke-free policy or have agreed to. Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH), which compiled the report, said it shows “considerable progress” is being made in developing smoke-free spaces.

16% of children reported that adults were allowed to smoke in the family car as long as the window was down, with a further 3% reporting no rules or restrictions on smoking in the family car.

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Mayor Brendan Weld will hand over his chain of office to a new successor next week.

The annual meeting of Kildare Co  Council in Áras Chill Dara in Naas will hold the election for the position on June 24.

A Deputy Mayor for the coming year will also be chosen.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

Heavy showers are set to continue for the afternoon and into the evening.

There will be some heavy thunder showers later.

Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in light breezes.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a crash on a Co Kildare road.

The Rathangan Rd in Naas is closed between the M7 Business Park and Floods Cross while emergency services deal with the incident.

It is understood that a car has collided with a ditch.

Use other routes.

It is advised to travel via Newbridge.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

The death has occurred of Elizabeth (Betty) HANLON (née Tiernan)
Hawkfield, Newbridge, Kildare

HANLON (nee Tiernan), Elizabeth (Betty) - Hawkfield, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 14th June 2016 (peacefully) at Naas Hospital after a short illness. Sadly missed by her loving husband Mick, children Mary, Liz, Michael, Catherine and Patrick, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Betty Rest in Peace

Funeral Arrangements Later

The death has occurred of Daniel BUTLER
The Burrows, Athy, Kildare / Carlow

Daniel Butler, The Burrows, Coneyboro, Athy, Co. Kildare and late of 25 Idrone Park, Carlow – 12th June 2016 following a tragic accident. Deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Marie, parents Sean and Marian, sister Tracy, mother-in-law Phil, brothers-in-law Eamon and Keith, sisters-in-law Lisa and Rachel, grandfather Seamus, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends.

May Daniel rest in peace.

Reposing at his parent’s residence, 25 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow from 2pm. until 8.30pm. on Wednesday with rosary there at 8pm. and house private thereafter. Removal from there on Thursday morning at 11.15am. to St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy arriving for 12 noon Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

Parts of Dublin are experiencing flash flooding, while a status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for large parts of the country.

Met Eireann is warning that thundery downpours could lead to rainfall accumulations of up to 30mm and localised flooding.

The warning came into effect at 2pm and will be in place until 8pm. It has been issued for Connacht, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

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The former Defence Forces Chief of Staff and Newbridge resident has died.

Lieutenant General David Stapleton DSM, who was in his late 70s, died peacefully at his home yesterday.

Lt Gen Stapleton, who was a native of Clonmel, Co Tipperary, joined the Defence Forces as a member of the 30th Cadet Class in 1955.

He held a number of significant appointments throughout his career and was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his outstanding service.

Prior to his elevation to the appointment of Defence Forces Chief of Staff between 1998 and 2000, he served as the Force Commander with the UNDOF mission in the Middle East.

Lt Gen Stapleton made a considerable contribution to the formation and development of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) in its formative years as the association’s first President.

His remains will repose at his family home tomorrow with Funeral on Thursday after 11am Mass in St Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge.

Photo courtesy of the Defence Forces

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

It is a dry morning in Co Kildare with some sunny spells developing later.

As the day progresses, there will be scattered showers.

The showers will be heavy at at times prolonged.

There are risks of thundery downpours.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

The death has occurred of Daniel BUTLER
The Burrows, Athy, Kildare / Carlow

Daniel Butler, The Burrows, Coneyboro, Athy, Co. Kildare and late of 25 Idrone Park, Carlow – 12th June 2016 following a tragic accident. Deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Marie, parents Sean and Marian, sister Tracy, mother-in-law Phil, brothers-in-law Eamon and Keith, sisters-in-law Lisa and Rachel, grandfather Seamus, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends.

May Daniel rest in peace.

Reposing at his parent’s residence, 25 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow from 2pm. until 8.30pm. on Wednesday with rosary there at 8pm. and house private thereafter. Removal from there on Thursday morning at 11.15am. to St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy arriving for 12 noon Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

The death has occurred of Elizabeth (Betty) HANLON (née Tiernan)
Hawkfield, Newbridge, Kildare

HANLON (nee Tiernan), Elizabeth (Betty) - Hawkfield, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 14th June 2016 (peacefully) at Naas Hospital after a short illness. Sadly missed by her loving husband Mick, children Mary, Liz, Michael, Catherine and Patrick, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Betty Rest in Peace

Funeral Arrangements Later

The death has occurred of Daniel BUTLER
The Burrows, Athy, Kildare / Carlow

Daniel Butler, The Burrows, Coneyboro, Athy, Co. Kildare and late of 25 Idrone Park, Carlow – 12th June 2016 following a tragic accident. Deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Marie, parents Sean and Marian, sister Tracy, mother-in-law Phil, brothers-in-law Eamon and Keith, sisters-in-law Lisa and Rachel, grandfather Seamus, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends.

May Daniel rest in peace.

Reposing at his parent’s residence, 25 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow from 2pm. until 8.30pm. on Wednesday with rosary there at 8pm. and house private thereafter. Removal from there on Thursday morning at 11.15am. to St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy arriving for 12 noon Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

The family of a Donegal man missing in Paris is very concerned for his safety.

Lee McLaughlin, from Gleneely, was last seen leaving the Ibis Paris Montmartre hotel at midday yesterday.

It is understood his family, who he travelled to Paris with for the Euro 2016 Championships, went down to breakfast in the hotel without him, and when they went back to the room he was not there.

CCTV footage was checked and it showed him leaving the hotel.

His family has been trying to contact him by phone. There was initially no answer, and then his phone appeared to be turned off.

His sister said the family is very worried as this kind of behaviour is out of character for him.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is assisting the family.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

€350,000 worth of cash has been uncovered packed in vacuum packs on the M1 motorway.

A number of vehicles were stopped on the M1 motorway just north of Swords.

Three men in their 40s were arrested. The cash was in vacuum packs, in a holdall bag.

Follow up searches were conducted in a number of areas, with the assistance of Gardaí from the Dublin Region and Cavan District, resulting in a vacuum packing machine and associated equipment being recovered at an address in Tallaght, Dublin 24 and Zopiclone tablets with a street value in excess of €10,000 being recovered at an address in Baileboro, Co. Cavan.

Two of those arrested have been released pending the submission of files to the Director of Public Prosecutions. One remains in custody at Swords Garda Station, detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

The body of a man has been found from the base of a cliff in Co Clare.

It is understood the alarm was raised at approximately 5.10pm yesterday evening when the Irish Coast Guard was alerted that a person had fallen from the Cliffs of Moher at Aill Na Searrach.

Reports say the entire recovery operation lasted for over four hours and the body was recovered to the cliff top at around 9.15pm.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

Naas duo Adam Byrne and Billy Dardis have been named as part of the Irish Rugby 7s squad for the upcoming Olympic Repechage in Monaco this weekend.

The tournament represents Ireland's last opportunity to seal a place in this summer's Olympics in Rio, but they have been placed alongside Samoa, Zimbabwe and Tonga in a hugely challenging group. Ireland need to win the competition to seal a spot in Rio, and they are coming off the back of a successful weekend at the Rugby Europe Competition in Sweden, meaning confidence should be high.

Byrne and Dardis are both members of the Leinster rugby academy, and the duo have enjoyed plenty of game time with the Leinster A team this year, with Byrne even scoring a number of tries for the first team. The pair, now 22, have also been capped at U20 level for Ireland, and their speed and agility makes them ideal players for the demanding 7s game.

"The side have been developing well over the past number of months and last weekend's result in Malmö shows that we have a talented group of players in our squad.

This competition is going to be a big challenge. Obviously every team is there to win and be rewarded with the final position in Rio. We've been drawn with Samoa, who are certainly one of the favourites in the competition, also in our pool are Tonga and Zimbabwe and they have a lot of 7s experience.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

It looks like the unsettled pattern of weather is due to continue through tonight and tomorrow morning as a mixture of hazy sunshine and heavy showers will continue for the next while.

This evening should remain mostly dry however, though depending on where you are, there may be some heavy scattered outbreaks of rain. It will be quite warm for the remainder of the evening though, with spots of sunshine even appearing at times.

Tonight will be dry to begin with, though there is further rain forecast for the later stages going into Thursday morning. Temperatures will be quite mild overnight, remaining between 8 and 11 degrees. There is a risk of fog forming in some areas too.

Tomorrow morning will see some bright and sunny spells, but they will be short lived as showers become widespread in the latter stages of the morning and into the afternoon.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.

Commuters using the N7 road leaving Dublin are facing serious travel disruption already this evening following an accident in the past few minutes.

The accident occurred on the N7 Outbound near the Citywest exit at junction 3, and although it is confined to the hard shoulder, there are major delays on approach to the incident.

Traffic is backed up from J4 Rathcoole as far as the junction with the Longmile road on the way out of Dublin, while there are also lengthy queues trying to get up the off-ramps of the M50 at J9 Red Cow as a result.

N7: Collision on the N7 outbound just before Citywest in the hard shoulder

— Live Drive (@LiveDrive) June 15, 2016

Otherwise, traffic is relatively free flowing in all other areas around Kildare, aside from the usual delays on the Millenium Park Link Road in Naas and coming through Sallins in either direction.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Kildare Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 045 409350. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 086 729 0010. Or you can email content@kildarenow.com at any time.