Six dead after bank holiday road crashes

Two brothers were among six people to lose their lives in road crashes in the State over Bank Holiday weekend.

Two brothers were among six people to lose their lives in road crashes in the State over Bank Holiday weekend.

John (26) and David Phelan (24) died when their motorcycle ploughed into a car near Fethard in Co Tipperary, gardaí said.

Both men, who were from Fethard, were taken to St Joseph's Hospital in Clonmel where they were declared dead.

A woman who was driving the car was being treated in hospital in Cashel for her injuries after the crash, which happened shortly before 8 p.m. yesterday.

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Her boyfriend, who was driving another car ahead of her, managed to avoid the motorcycle.

Later, a motorist was killed in a two-car collision on the M5 near Ballymiles, in Swinford, Co Mayo. He was named as 52-year-old Brendan Hopkins, from Castlebar, Co Mayo.

Three passengers and the driver of the other car were taken to Mayo General Hospital following the accident at 2 a.m. today.

In another two-car crash, a driver died on the Rathkeale to Newcastle West road in Co Limerick at about 3 a.m. today. He was named as Thomas Clifford (25) from Croagh, Co Limerick.

A number of other people were hospitalised but the extent of their injuries was not known.

Meanwhile gardaí named a pedestrian who died after being hit by a car in Sligo town on Saturday.

Mr Mark Rooney (27) from the town, was struck by a car as he was walking at John F Kennedy Parade.

Officers also named Ms Wendy Lynch (33) from Downpatrick, Co Down, who died on Saturday, in an accident between a car and a van in Co Westmeath.

Two men were taken to hospital in Mullingar for their injuries following the accident, between Mullingar and Kilbeggan. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

PA