Locals in west Tipperary have said they are "devastated" after a 15-year-old girl died and four other people were injured in a two-car collision yesterday evening.
The girl, named locally as Leah O'Meara, was a passenger in one of the cars, and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened at around 6.45pm on the R503 at Rearcross.
Her body was removed to University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out.
Three other people in the car, a man and a woman both aged in their 20s, and a girl aged in her mid-teens, were taken to University Hospital Limerick with non-life threatening injuries.
A woman who was driving the second car was also taken to UHL, where her injuries are also believed to be non-life threatening.
The road is closed for a forensic examination and local diversions are in place.
"We've had some very tragic fatalities in recent times and it's unbearable"
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, and any road users with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time of the crash, is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station at 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Leah O'Meara's death brings to 25 the number of people who have died on Irish roads since the beginning of the year.
Tipperary was the worst affected county in the country last year, with 16 deaths on the roads, including two crashes last August that saw seven people lose their lives.
In a statement, Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed, where Leah was a student, said it was "shocked and saddened" by her "sudden and untimely death", adding that she had a "winning smile".
"Leah was a third-year student, had just completed her mocks, had a winning smile, she was involved in all aspects of school life and was so friendly and popular among her peers. She will be will be greatly missed by all who know her."
"Our priority now is the wellbeing and welfare of our students, parents and staff. The Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed Critical Incident team has met to coordinate a response and to enact the Critical Incident Plan."
Locals have also expressed shock at the loss of another young life on the roads.
Elaine Carey runs the local hardware store in nearby Newport and says people are inconsolable.
"This poor young girl, just 15 years old and on her midterm break from school. It's awful to hear of another life lost on our roads in this county.
"We've had some very tragic fatalities in recent times and it's unbearable. My deepest condolences to the family of this girl and we hope and pray that the others injured will recover quickly."
Bernadette Quigley is a healthcare worker and a native of Rearcross.
"I was visiting a patient yesterday evening when I heard the news. My heart stopped to hear it was another young person killed and more young people injured.
"Tipperary has had a spate of terrible accidents and we are devastated," she said.
Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill expressed his condolences to the girl's family.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today With Claire Byrne, he said: "It's another family in tragedy this morning.
"In Tipperary last year we had an awful lot of fatal accidents, this early in the new year, this is another fatal accident and another young life lost.
"My deepest sympathy to the family involved, and I hope all the four who were involved make a full recovery from their injuries."
