A two-car crash, which claimed the lives of three young people in Co Tipperary early yesterday morning, has brought the number of road accident victims on Irish roads this year to 359.
The three died after their cars collided and became engulfed in flames between Cashel and Horse and Jockey at Ballytarsna. Mr Alan Gaffney (23), Bellview, Mariaville, Maynooth, Co Kildare, who was driving in the direction of Dublin from Cashel, died when his car became engulfed in flames following a collision with another car.
The occupants of the second car, Mr Michael Browne (22), Kilmalouge, Cahir, and Ms AnnMarie Brunick (19), Mountview Drive, Cahir, were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The remains of the victims were removed to Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, and later to Waterford Regional Hospital. The accident occurred at approximately 3.20 a.m. on the N8 at Ballytarsna, four miles from Cashel. Locals said there were adverse driving conditions in the area yesterday morning with frequent heavy showers making the road surface slippery.
Mr Michael Lowry, Independent TD for north Tipperary, made an appeal to North and South Tipperary County Councils to examine this stretch of road which has been the scene to many accidents in the past.