Gardaí are investigating after two women died and two men were hospitalised at a hostel in County Offaly.

Investigators were called to the hostel in Tullamore town yesterday after a 44-year-old woman was found in an unresponsive condition. She was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

This morning, emergency services were called to the hostel again to treat a woman in her late teens. She was pronounced dead a short time later.

Both bodies have been removed to the mortuary at Tullamore Hospital where post-mortem examinations will be carried out.

While emergency services were art at the hostel, a 23-year-old man became unresponsive and was taken to Tullamore hospital where his condition is understood to be critical.

A 32-year-old man was also taken to hospital where his condition is thought to be non-life-threatening.

Gardaí are liaising with the HSE and a local alcohol and drugs support group as part of their investigation.

A spokesperson said the deaths are not believed to be COVID-19 related and the results of the post-mortems and toxicology reports will determine the course of the investigation.

The local coroner has been notified and the investigations are ongoing.