Three young Kerry men were killed yesterday in a head-on crash, described by gardaí as "horrific", on the main Killarney-Limerick road near Castleisland.
The crash occurred at Ahaneboy, about two miles from Castleisland, at 10.40am near a sweeping bend at the top of a hill.
A Vauxhall Astra driven by a teenager from Listowel was travelling towards Castleisland and two men from Castleisland were travelling in a Mazda 323 in the opposite direction. Driving conditions were described as perfect.
The dead were named last night as Michael Tolan (18), Kilmorna, Co Kerry; Freddie Ryan (31), Castleisland, and Patrick O'Reilly (26), also of Castleisland.
This stretch of the N21, the main Kerry-Dublin road, has a climbing lane from the Castleisland direction and the main outer lane is governed by a continuous double white line. The collision occurred on this outer lane.
All three died at the scene. Two ambulances attended as well as fire service engines and personnel from Tralee, Castleisland and Killarney. The young men had to be cut from the cars and their bodies were removed to Kerry General Hospital for postmortem examinations.
"This was a dreadful tragedy on a beautiful sunny morning," said Supt Michael O'Donovan, who is in charge of the investigation, at the scene.
The Circuit of Kerry car rally was taking place in Castleisland yesterday. There was also heavy traffic travelling to Portlaoise from Kerry for the Dr Crokes versus Crossmaglen football match. It is thought all three young men may have been attending the rally.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who saw the crash to come forward particularly the driver of a light-coloured blue Saab, with a 07 D registration, who stopped at the accident, but did not remain, and the driver of a red car, also with a Dublin registration.
Supt O'Donovan appealed to witnesses to contact Killarney Garda station on 064-31222.
Traffic was backed up for hours as diversions were put in place and the road was sealed off to allow for forensic and technical examinations.
Co Kerry had one of the highest number of road fatalities in the State last year. There were 21 deaths on its roads, prompting the county council to appoint a road safety officer.
There have also been seminars, ongoing warnings from the Garda and appeals from priests and other community leaders to try to reduce road deaths.