Tributes are being paid to two men who died in a multi-vehicle collision in Co Meath.
The collision involving a lorry, a Bus Éireann bus and a car occurred on the R132 in Gormanston at around 6.30am yesterday morning.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien described the news as "tragic", while local councillor Stephen McKee said it was a "dark day" for the community.
The driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, and the driver of the bus, a man in his 50s, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The car driver, a woman in her 40s, was taken to Beaumont Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
A teenage girl who was a passenger in the car was initially taken to our Lady of Lourdes Hospital before being transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
It is understood that some passengers on the bus, a Bus Éireann Route 101 service, were among those taken to hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
The R132 was reopened, and all three vehicles involved in the collision were removed from the scene.
Watch: Laura Hogan reports live from scene in Gormanston
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 801 0600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
In particular, gardaí are appealing to road users who may have camera footage (including dashcam) and who were travelling on the R132, at Gormanston, Co Meath, between 5.45am and 6.45am this morning, to make the footage available to them.
People 'extremely shocked' to hear news of crash
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said he was "really saddened" to hear of this morning's "tragic" crash.
Speaking to RTÉ News, he paid tribute to the emergency services and said his thoughts and prayers were with the affected families and communities.
"We're thinking of those who are affected and the communities that are affected. People are genuinely extremely shocked to hear this awful news this morning," the minister said.
Meath East TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said her heart goes out to the families of those killed in the crash in Gormanston.
"This tragedy feels especially heavy coming so soon after the horrific crash that claimed the lives of five young people," she said.
"Our community is grieving again, far too soon, and the weight of the loss is felt by us all."
Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Darren O'Rourke has said "it's very tough" for all those involved in the crash.
"It is a very dark day after a number of dark days in the region, in Louth and Meath and in north Dublin," he said on RTÉ's Drivetime.
He said the community will rally around the families of the victims during this difficult time.
"It's an awful tragedy to visit any family and we know that there are a number of people who are seriously injured and we wish them well in their recovery."
Mr O'Rourke said the Old Dublin Road is a busy road and people would have been very familiar with it when it was the main road between Belfast and Dublin.
"It would be heavy with traffic, people coming and going. Either coming from Stamullen to Balbriggan or vice versa.
"There area number of very big schools in the area and it's an ordinary Monday morning. I think the first thing people hear is the news or they come upon a traffic diversion and as I say, it is the worst that has been realised.
"Loss of life on the road again and it is a terrible tragedy for all those involved."
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Stephen McKee paid tribute to gardaí and emergency services and said it was a "traumatic event for those affected".
"It is a very dark day for the Meath east community," he said.
Local Councillor Sharon Tolan said she was "shocked and horrified" by the news and described the area where it happened as a "busy spot".
"It's very busy for commuters to work, to college, to school. School children would use this road regularly as well. So [I'm] just shocked.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and neighbours of the victims, and those who are recovering in hospital today," she said.
Councillor Tolan said that there seemed to be collisions on the road more frequently and that more needs to be done to address it.
"I think as a society, the Government, the Road Safety Authority, we need to do something to get to grips with this because it just seems to be on a daily basis now that we are losing our children, our loved ones, our neighbours, our friends on our roads and that has got to stop," she said.
Independent Senator from Meath Sharon Keoghan said that sirens could be heard on the roads in the area early this morning.
"We've no words for this tragedy here this morning. It's another dark day on our roads here, particularly in Meath and Louth. I'm very, very sorry for all those that are involved here this morning," Ms Keoghan said.
In a statement, Meath County Council extended its sympathies to those involved in the crash.
"The Council would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the grieving families and friends of the deceased, and our thoughts also remain with the injured and anyone impacted by this tragedy."
The Council also acknowledged the work of the Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service and all first responders to the "devastating event".
Loss of colleague 'a shock to everyone across Bus Éireann'
Bus Éireann have paid tribute to the bus driver who was killed in the crash this morning.
"We are devastated by this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of our Bus Éireann driver who has sadly lost his life, and with the family and friends of the driver of the other vehicle who also passed away," said Bus Éireann CEO Jean O'Sullivan in a statement.
"The loss of a colleague is a shock to everyone across Bus Éireann - our thoughts are very much with our colleague's family, friends and the many co-workers who are devastated at the loss. Our thoughts are with his family.
"Our thoughts are also with the other driver’s family, with our passengers and with the occupants of the third vehicle who have been injured and are receiving care in hospital.
"At Bus Éireann, safety is our highest priority, and we of course are cooperating with the relevant authorities. We remain committed to supporting all those affected and assisting the authorities in every way we can."
