Five people have been killed on Irish roads this afternoon following separate collisions in Mayo and Cork.

Gardaí confirmed this afternoon that two women and a seven-year-old child died after a car and a truck collided on the N17 Galway to Sligo Road near Claremorris at around 12:30pm.

One of the women was aged in her 70s while the other was in her forties.

The driver of the truck was uninjured.           

Gardaí are at the scene of the collision and traffic diversions are in place. A forensic investigation is underway.

Southbound traffic is being diverted to Ballyhaunis and motorists are asked to avoid the Claremorris junction.

Cork road fatalities

It comes after a man and a woman were killed in a separate collision in Cork earlier today.

The incident happened at around 11am on the N20 Cork to Mallow Road at the Waterloo Junction.

Two cars and a truck were involved in the crash.

A man and a woman in their 60s, who were passengers in one of the cars, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Both are understood to have been visitors from the US who were with their partners.

The driver of the car and a third passenger - both in their 60s - were taken to Cork University Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021–4946200, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1800-666-111, or any Garda station.