Three people have died in two separate road crashes in Co Tipperary in the last 24 hours.
Shortly before 6pm yesterday, gardaí and emergency services were called to a four-vehicle collision on a local road in Killeen, Ballinunty, around 15km southeast of Thurles.
Two men, aged 18 and 20, in one of the vehicles, were pronounced dead at the scene.
They are understood to have been friends who had been living in the wider Tipperary area.
They were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were removed to University Hospital Waterford, where post-mortem examinations will be carried out.
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Two women, both aged in their 20s and travelling in a second car, were taken to Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Six other individuals were medically assessed at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.
The Killeen Road has since reopened following a technical examination of the scene.
Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses to contact Thurles Garda Station on 0504 25100, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Separately, a man in his 30s died in a two-car collision on the N24 Frank Drohan Road, outside Clonmel in the south of the county shortly after 1am.
His body was removed to University Hospital Waterford, where a post-mortem examination will take place. No other serious injuries were reported.
The road has reopened following a forensic examination of the scene.
Anyone with information on the collision is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station on 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Councillor John O'Heney has said the deaths of the three men mark one of the "darkest days" in Tipperary in a very long time.
In a statement, the Independent Tipperary county councillor said: "The tragic news of three lives lost on Tipperary roads in the space of a few hours, in separate incidents in Ballinunty and Clonmel overnight, has shaken the entire county and has left a dark cloud hanging over us all.
"My deepest thoughts and prayers are with those lives lost and all their families and friends at this very difficult time.
"This Christmas, please be careful on our roads."
In Monaghan town yesterday morning, a man in his 60s died after being hit by a lorry in the Old Cross Square area, bringing to four the number of fatalities on the country's roads at the weekend.
Gardaí said the festive period remains one of the busiest times on Irish roads and the main message of their Christmas road safety campaign is to slow down, take extra care, always give driving your full attention, and never drive under the influence of an intoxicant.
