M7 closed near Portlaoise after serious multi-vehicle crash
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A SECTION of the M7 motorway has been closed near Portlaoise, following a serious multi-vehicle collision.
At 4.45pm this afternoon, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said the M7 has been closed westbound between the J15 Ballybrittas/Mountmellick exit and J16 Portlaoise East junction.
Emergency services are at the scene and TII warned that the road is temporarily closed, with all westbound lanes affected.
Traffic diversions are in place and lengthy delays are expected.
The pile-up was one of three serious road incidents on the M7/N7 near Portlaoise this afternoon, including a vehicle that went on fire shortly before 4pm.
The single-vehicle fire happened on the M7/N7 eastbound between J17 (N77) Portlaoise (Centre) and J16 Portlaoise (East).
Another collision happened nearby in a separate incident after 4pm.
TII said: ‘Delays to your journey will occur. Consider a different journey route or start time.
'When approaching the collision location, drive with caution, reduce your speed and obey instructions from emergency services.’
