The M7 motorway at Portlaoise was closed between Junction 15 and 16 heading for Dublin late on Friday night following an incident that saw a car catch fire after becoming entangled with a lorry.
An English registration Opel Corsa – with a male driver the sole occupant – hit the back of a lorry and was dragged for a short stretch along the road before going on fire.
There were no injuries but the scene was attended by Laois County Fire and Rescue and the Gardai and the road was closed as they cleared the incident.
Meanwhile, the fire officers were also called to a minor incident at Scoil Bhride in Knockmay on Friday night but a spokesperson for Laois County Fire and Rescue confirmed that there was no damage done.
