In pics: Snow storms shut Ireland, Britain calls in the army for hospitals

Snow storms shut most of Ireland on Friday and forced Britain to call in the army to battle some of the worst weather seen in nearly 30 years.

After a blast of Siberian weather dubbed "the beast from the east", southern Britain and Ireland were battered by Storm Emma which blocked roads, grounded planes and stopped trains.

At least 24,000 homes and businesses in Ireland were left without power, as snow drifts left accumulations up to three feet (90 cm) deep.

The Irish stock exchange was shut, all schools were closed and transport ground to a halt and all flights were cancelled as