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RAF food supply helicopter helps to deliver animal feed Severe weather still impacting across Northern Ireland
(about 14 hours later)
A military helicopter has helped to deliver food to snowbound livestock in Northern Ireland. The severe weather conditions are still having an impact across many parts of Northern Ireland.
The RAF Chinook helicopter made food drops to thousands of animals stranded in severe weather. Search and rescue operations are continuing for livestock missing in remote areas, and a military helicopter will deliver emergency food supplies to stranded animals for a second day.
Its efforts were largely been focused on the worst hit area around the Glens of Antrim. An Irish Army Helicopter is also on stand-by to help, if needed.
It travelled from its RAF base in Hampshire on Tuesday morning and landed at Aldergrove at about 12:30 GMT. Department of Agriculture advisors have identified the areas where the animals are most at risk.
Department of Agriculture advisors identified the areas where the animals were most at risk. On Tuesday, a RAF Chinook helicopter made food drops to thousands of animals stranded, mostly in the Glens of Antrim, which has been one of the areas worst affected by the snow.
A member of their team travelled with the Chinook crew to tell them exactly where to drop the feed. It travelled from its base in Hampshire on Tuesday morning and landed at Aldergrove at about 12:30 GMT.
The Irish government has agreed to provide air corps assistance to farmers and rural residents affected by the adverse weather. A member of staff from the Department of Agriculture travelled with the Chinook crew to tell them exactly where to drop the feed.
It followed discussions between the Northern Ireland agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill and the Irish justice minister Alan Shatter. The Irish government has agreed to provide air corps assistance following discussions between the Northern Ireland agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill and the Irish justice minister Alan Shatter.
"This is excellent news which will give us the capacity for additional air support to help those in most need," Ms O'Neill said.
"This will complement the existing resources that we have deployed over the past few days."
Those involved in the multi-agency operation have warned hill walkers of snow hazards such as "cornices and avalanche risks" in those areas affected by snow and strong winds.Those involved in the multi-agency operation have warned hill walkers of snow hazards such as "cornices and avalanche risks" in those areas affected by snow and strong winds.
'Good neighbours'
A police spokesperson said the public should consider the potential risks before embarking on any walks in these areas.A police spokesperson said the public should consider the potential risks before embarking on any walks in these areas.
"Motorists are asked to continue restricting their journeys to those that are absolutely necessary in affected areas," the PSNI spokesperson added. The PSNI has also appealed to members of the public to be "good neighbours" and look out for those who are particularly "isolated, vulnerable or who may need help".
"The public are also urged to be good neighbours and look out for those who are particularly isolated, vulnerable or who may need help." On Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said that she would press for a hardship payment for farmers at an executive meeting.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Ms O'Neill said that she would press for a hardship payment for farmers at an Executive meeting.
"It is only fair and right to see whether there is a hardship or compensation payment that can be made. After all, we are depending on these people to produce our food," she told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster.
It is not clear how many animals had been killed in the extreme weather conditions. Ms O'Neill said it was too early to speculate.
"It is a severe situation," she said.
"People have said that this is worse than 1963. Some of the scenes are harrowing - to see farmers bring in sheep that have died in the snow. People are angry and concerned."
Immediate practical issues for farmers include the disposal of dead livestock. The agriculture minister said she would also be talking to the banks as farmers affected were not going to be able to have the income they expected.Immediate practical issues for farmers include the disposal of dead livestock. The agriculture minister said she would also be talking to the banks as farmers affected were not going to be able to have the income they expected.
Medication and food have been delivered by helicopter to people left snowbound by the severe weather.Medication and food have been delivered by helicopter to people left snowbound by the severe weather.
The emergency services, Red Cross, RAF and others worked together to provide basic supplies to people snowed in for days.The emergency services, Red Cross, RAF and others worked together to provide basic supplies to people snowed in for days.
On Tuesday morning, Northern Ireland Electricity reported that power had been restored to all but one household affected by the severe weather conditions. Northern Ireland Electricity worked to restore power to more than 137,000 customers over the weekend. Thousands lost their supply due to strong winds and heavy snow.
It worked to restore power to more than 137,000 customers over the weekend. Thousands lost their supply due to strong winds and heavy snow.
The organisations working together included the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, mountain rescue teams, Roads Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.The organisations working together included the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, mountain rescue teams, Roads Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Representatives from local councils, electricity providers, health providers and volunteers have also been involved.Representatives from local councils, electricity providers, health providers and volunteers have also been involved.
The after effects of the severe weather has also impacted on sport and leisure activities.
The Easter Stages Rally, which was due to take place this weekend across Counties Down and Antrim, has been cancelled.