The four young men killed in a head-on-collision between two cars in Co Monaghan in the early hours of this morning have been named by gardai.
They are Brian O'Neill (19), Ciaran Hagan (20), Gary Mc Cormick (20) and Dermot Thornton (21). All four men are from Threemilehouse Monaghan.
The men were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fifth man was taken to Monaghan General Hospital but has since been taken to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin where he is in a critical condition.
It is understood all of the deceased are from Co Monaghan. The crash took place at Kilnaclay, on the Monaghan to Threemilehouse road at 2am.
Fine Gael Cavan Monaghan TD Seymour Crawford said it was an "absolutely dreadful tragedy."
"People are obviously extremely stunned to see four young people taken in the prime of their lives and another man seriously ill. "All the victims would be known locally and people are in a deep state of shock.
"It just seems that all too often in this country the lives of young people who go out during the weekend are taken on our roads in the early hours of the morning.
"My sympathies obviously go out the families affected by this crash." Gardai have sealed off the crash scene for a technical examination.
Sinn Fein TD for the area Caoimhghin O Caolain also expressed sympathy.
"The entire community of Threemilehouse, Clones and North Monaghan is in shock this morning on learning of the loss of four young lives in such tragic circumstances," he said.
"On behalf of myself and Monaghan Sinn Fein I wish to extend heartfelt sympathy to all of the bereaved and join with the entire community in offering our support at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all."
North of the border SDLP Assembly member John Dallat sent his best wishes to the bereaved and called for an all-Ireland road safety strategy to prevent such tragedies.
PA