A woman has died and two young children are in a serious condition following a collision in Co Kildare.
The woman, who was aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision between the car she was driving and a van on the R148 at Cloncurry near Enfield at around 6.15pm yesterday.
The two children, who were passengers in the car, were taken to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin, where their condition has been described as "serious but stable".
The driver of the van was also taken to hospital, where his injuries are described as non-life threatening.
Gardaí said a third vehicle, a car, collided with the van following the initial collision. The driver of this vehicle did not require medical treatment.
The road between Enfield and Kilcock was closed for a forensic examination, but has since reopened.
Gardaí are appealing to witnesses to contact Leixlip Garda Station on 01 666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Local Fine Gael councillor Brendan Weld offered his sympathies to the woman's family and said he hopes the children "recover as quickly as possible".
Cllr Weld also said the junction in Cloncurry has been a "concern for long number of years".
He added: "I would implore people to just slow down that little bit. It could make a huge difference. I think the statistics were that we had four deaths in Co Kildare last year and already this year we have had two."
The woman's death brings to three the number of people who have died on Irish roads since the start of the year.
A man in his 40s died when the motorcycle he was driving was involved in a collision with a car in Co Cavan yesterday.
The incident occurred on the N55 road at Corlurgan at around 3.10pm.
On Monday, a man in his 20s died in Co Kildare after a crash on the M7 at Curraghfarm.
The crash happened when the car he was in hit a raised grass bank between junctions 12 and 13.
The man, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, a man also aged in his 20s, was taken to Tallaght University Hospital, with non-life threatening injuries.
