Gardaí have named the four men who were fatally injured in a collision in Co Monaghan this morning.
They are 19-year-old Brian O'Neill, 20-year-old Ciaran Hagan, 20-year-old Gary McCormick and 21-year-old Dermot Thornton.
A fifth man, aged 27, who was seriously injured was taken to Monaghan General Hospital.
He has since been transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where his condition is described as critical.
All four men are from Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan, and were pronounced dead at the scene.
John Dallat, an SDLP MLA for East Derry, has sympathised with the families of the victims.
He also said there could be no doubt that a lack of political will in the past had contributed to deaths on the roads north and south and must not be part of the future.
And he said Northern Ireland and the Republic must work together to harmonise our laws and audit the cost of road safety.
Gardaí are continuing their investigation to try to establish the cause of the accident.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, for post mortem examinations.
The scene of the collision is sealed off for a technical examination.
Inspector Pat McMorrow, who is leading the investigation, appealed for witnesses who might have been on the Monaghan to Threemilehouse Road between 2am and 2.30am this morning.
Today's deaths - in Co Monaghan and Co Wexford - bring to 302 the number of people who have been killed on Ireland's roads since the start of the year.
