Taoiseach Simon Harris has said we are now at a "critical juncture" when it comes to road deaths after a number of people lost their lives on the roads over the weekend.
In Co Meath, a man in his 20s died following a single-vehicle crash, while two men also died in a three-vehicle collision.
A teenager died following a collision involving an e-scooter and a car in Co Kilkenny on Saturday evening, while a 40-year-old man died in a road crash in Co Cork on Saturday morning.
A motorcyclist in his 50s died in a crash in Co Down yesterday.
The Taoiseach expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those who died, describing the losses as "devastating".
He said Ireland had made "significant progress" in reducing the number of people losing their lives on Irish roads in recent years and that progress was now "at risk".
"These are not statistics, they are lost lives and shattered families," Mr Harris said.
"We are now at a critical juncture. We must take steps – as individuals, as communities, as a country – to reverse the trend and prevent more lives being lost.
"Government will play its part and will take the necessary steps, but we need the help of every driver across the country."
Ahead of the August bank holiday weekend the Taoiseach urged drivers to slow down, put their mobile phones away and never drink or use drugs before getting behind the wheel.
Three dead in Meath
A man in his 20s died following a single-vehicle road crash in Co Meath on the R161 between Trim and Navan at 10pm last night.
Gardaí said the man was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where he was pronounced dead.
It comes after two men died following a three-vehicle collision in Oldcastle in Meath yesterday.
The collision, involving motorcycles, occurred on the R195 road at Bellaney at around 4.40pm.
A male motorcyclist in his 30s and his pillion passenger, a man in his 40s, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The bodies were removed to the mortuary at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, and post-mortem examinations will be arranged.
They have been named locally as Stuart O'Connell and Mark Eager.
Local Sinn Féin TD for the area Johnny Guirke said it was an awful tragedy for the families and for the town of Oldcastle.
"This is a small town and everybody knows everybody," he said
"It happened only about a mile from where I live myself. So it's very, very sad."
He described both men who died as "two good lads".
"Everybody would know them. They're well got around the town," he said.
Mr Guirke also praised the local first responders in the fire service who attended the scene and said they would have known the men too.
A third male motorcyclist was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with serious injuries. A fourth male motorcyclist was taken to Cavan General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Teenager died following collision between e-scooter and car in Kilkenny
A 14-year-old boy died following a collision involving an e-scooter and a car in Co Kilkenny on Saturday evening.
The incident happened on the Tullaroan Road at Bonnettstown shortly before 6.30pm.
The boy, who had been travelling on the e-scooter, was transferred to St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, where he later died from his injuries.
He has been named as Joe Carthy from Kilkenny city.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Malone said Joe's family is distraught.
He said Joe, who is one of seven children, was well known in the area for fishing.
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Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Cllr Malone said: "So sad, and they're all distraught out there and Joe comes from the Traveller community and they're all out there last night and coming together and trying to take it in, it’s so sad."
He said he spoke to the family last night and offered his support and prayers.
40-year-old man died in road crash in Co Cork
In Cork, a 40-year-old man died in a road crash near Kinsale on Saturday morning.
He was named as Finbarr Coleman.
The single-vehicle crash occurred at Ballynamona, about 4km outside Kinsale, at around 1.30am.
Mr Coleman, who was from nearby Inishannon, was one of several passengers in the car, which appeared to have hit a ditch.
The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, was arrested.
It brings to 113 the number of people who have died on roads in the state so far this year.
PSNI appeal for witnesses after Co Down crash
In Co Down, a motorcyclist collided with a car on the Killyleagh Road, Downpatrick at around 4pm yesterday.
The PSNI is appealing for witnesses and is particularly keen to speak to two motorcyclists travelling along the same road around the same time.
It brings the number of people killed on roads in Northern Ireland to 36 this year.
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'It's very sad for all families impacted' - Humphreys
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys extended her sympathies to all affected by the road deaths at the weekend.
She said it was "very disturbing news to hear that so many people who have lost their lives".
"It's something that we all need to be more and more aware of, that we cannot drink and drive, we cannot take drugs and drive, and it's about creating awareness.
"There's a lot of campaigns on the way, and as a Government, we will continue to try and, you know, raise awareness around safe driving.
"It's very sad for all the families that have been impacted and our thoughts are with them," Ms Humphreys said.
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Concerning increase in motorbike crashes - gardaí
There has been a concerning increase in the number of motorcyclists who have been involved in fatal and serious road traffic collisions, according to Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty.
"So far this year now we are looking at approximately 16 motorcyclists or pillion passengers who have been killed on our roads," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"There was 26 for the total of 2023 so it's concerning at this early stage during the summer, which is the peak social motorcycling time of the year that we're at such a high number for motorcyclists.
He said motorcyclists are among the groups that are "likely to suffer the most severe consequences" in collisions, even when using the best protective gear.
Supt Geraghty said e-scooters were another high-risk form of travel, highlighting that three young people had died while using them in the last month.
Gardaí said they remain concerned about road safety ahead of the August bank holiday weekend.
Supt Geraghty said all road users should take "collective responsibility" to reduce road fatalities.
Gardaí said there has been 25 less fatalities for the second quarter of the year from April to June compared to the same period last year.
However, gardaí expect increased volumes of traffic on the roads during August and have appealed for motorists to slow down and to never drive under an intoxicant.
Gardaí said motorists should plan their journeys in order to get home safely to family and friends this weekend.
