A school principal has paid tribute to a 12-year-old pupil who died after the car he was driving was involved in a crash in Co Limerick.
Wiktor Chojecki was the only occupant of the car - which belonged to a relative - that was in collision with a lorry overnight.
The crash happened close to a roundabout on the Limerick side of Adare village on the busy N21 route connecting Limerick with Co Kerry.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash shortly before 2am this morning.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination is to be carried out.
In a statement, the school principal of Scoil Mhuire agus Íde in Newcastle West said this incident was a "terrible tragedy" for the Chojecki family.
"We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Wiktor's family and friends," said principal Sean Lane.
"The teachers have been helping students to deal with the tragic event."
Mr Lane added that Wiktor "will be greatly missed by all who knew him."
The driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, was not seriously injured.
Diversions are in place on the N21, with city-bound traffic being diverted from Adare via Croom.
Gardaí are trying to establish the cause of the crash.
They are appealing to any witnesses to come forward, in particular, road users who may have camera or dash-cam footage and were travelling on the N21 near Adare area at the time of the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastlewest Garda Station on 069-20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or any Garda Station.
