The Mayor of Mullingar Municipal District says locals are numbed and shocked following today's fatal crash on the N4 Dublin to Sligo Road.

Three women and one child died after the car they were travelling in collided with a 4x4 vehicle on the N4 Dublin Sligo Road this morning.

The crash happened shortly before 8 o'clock at Port na Shangan, just a few miles from Mullingar.

The four were pronounced dead, while the male driver and sole occupant of the 4x4 vehicle was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Fianna Fáil Councillor and Mayor Ken Glynn spoke with Midlands 103 and says it is a tragic loss of life.