The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has led tributes to three members of the same family killed in a crash in Co Tipperary.
Thomas O'Reilly (45), Bridget O'Reilly (46) and their grandson Tom (3) lost their lives when the car they were travelling in struck a wall.
It happened yesterday evening shortly before 9pm at Windmill, Knockbulloge in Cashel.
A man and a woman in their 20s who were in the front seats of the car are being treated for serious injuries at Tipperary University Hospital.
Mr Varadkar offered his sincere condolences to their friends and family on Twitter.
"My thoughts are with everyone in Tipperary with this awful news coming so soon after the tragic deaths in Clonmel," he wrote.
My sincere condolences to the friends and family of the people killed in the road incident in Cashel. May they rest in peace.
My thoughts are with everyone in Tipperary with this awful news coming so soon after the tragic deaths in Clonmel.— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) August 30, 2023
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was a "devastating loss of life."
"The enormous sense of shock and grief in the community is shared by people across the country," Mr Martin said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family who have suffered so much, their neighbours and friends."
Devastating loss of life near Cashel last night.
The enormous sense of shock and grief in the community is shared by people across the country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family who have suffered so much, their neighbours and friends.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 30, 2023
Superintendent Kieran Ruane from Tipperary said Gardaí are looking to speak to witnesses.
"I want to express my sincere condolences and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Síochána to the family and friends of Thomas, Bridget and Tom on this tragic loss of life," he said.
"An incident room has been established at Cahir Garda station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer as An Garda Síochána investigate all the circumstances of this tragic road traffic collision."
Supt Ruane said he has spoken with the family, "that is devastated by this terrible incident".
"I assured the family and I want to assure the community that local Gardaí here in South Tipperary are here to support them and the community, as we all come to terms with this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.
"I want to take the opportunity to appeal to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Cahir Garda Station," he added.
Any person who may have been driving on local roads between Golden and Cashel, and who may have any camera footage or images from these roads between 8.15pm and 8.45pm, is asked to contact the investigation team at Cahir Garda station.
They can be reached at 052-744-5630, or poeple can contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.
