Five counties under heat warning as Met Éireann urges water safety after 36 drowning deaths

The forecaster has cautioned swimmers as the heat warning come into place from 1pm.

From 1pm today (July 13), Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and Mayo could see temperatures of 27C, with an overnight minimum of 15C.

The warning is in place until 7am on Wednesday (July 15), with water safety being listed as a potential impact of the weather due to the increased use of lakes and beaches. 

This caution comes after the death of 15-year-old Martin Greene in Lough Ree, County Westmeath, on Saturday evening (July 11).

The teenager died after getting into difficulty in the water at Carnakilla Point in Glasson. Gardaí said he was recovered following a search and pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Yvonne, later wrote on social media that her heart was broken over the loss of her "poor baby".

The tragedy marks the 36th drowning death in Ireland this year, that is according to Water Safety Ireland.

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann is preparing for a possible hosepipe ban as pressure on water supplies grows across the country.

Stephen Burke, Regional Water Operations Manager for the Eastern Region, said drinking water usage has hit record levels, with demand currently at 2 billion litres a day.

He revealed concerns over supplies in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and parts of Meath have now spread to other areas, including Wexford, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway and Mayo.

While Mr Burke said the utility wants to avoid a hosepipe ban, he added that conservation measures are needed to protect supplies.

He also urged people to take 'simple measures' that will make a 'tangible difference'.

Today (July 13) is set to be another hot and dry one for most of the country, with temperatures reaching highs of 24 to 29 degrees in Munster and Connacht. Leinster and Ulster will see highs of 20 to 24 degrees with an easterly to north-easterly breeze.

Overnight conditions will remain dry, with temperatures above 13 degrees, while tomorrow will bring highs of 23 to 29C as well as the possibility of an isolated shower affecting the southwest later in the day. 

Wednesday will continue to be very warm, although it will be cooler along the east coast. Some heavy showers or thunderstorms may develop, mainly across parts of the South, Midlands and West.

The fine weather is forecast to continue through to the weekend.