A charity for the elderly says the current cold snap could lead to more deaths of older people, as the number coming to them for help has increased by 75 per cent in the past two years.

Earlier this week, two friends in their 60s died from hypothermia in a flat in Stoneybatter in Dublin, following a cold snap.

The CEO of Alone Sean Moynihan says the current cold spell will put more pressure on older people, many of whom cannot afford heating, food or medication.

He says bad weather and budget cuts make things much harder.