Croghan Hill in County Offaly has erupted

Paul McRingo | Midlands Correspondent

Croghan Hill in Co. Offaly has erupted within the last hour and lava has been seen flowing rapidly towards several local villages. Fears are growing for the densely populated metropolis of Tullamore, just 15 miles away.

Croghan Hill is the remains of an “extinct” volcano that rises from the Bog of Allen and dominates the surrounding landscape. Records show the last time it erupted was in 1773 when over 200 people and 8 million sheep perished.

Offaly County Councillor Barney Fitzmaurice told local radio station Midlands 103 that panic has broken out across the county.

“Extinct me hole!” he said. “As I speak, boiling hot lava is heading straight for Portarlington. It’s only 5 miles away so it’s just a matter of time. Okay so nobody would really miss that kip but for God’s sake we must save Tullamore. A world without the Bridge House and Galvin’s Menswear is an unthinkable hell that no man should ever have to live in.”

We’ll have more on this breaking news as it happens.