Midleton in east Cork was in grief last night after two local brothers were killed when their car was in collision with another vehicle just outside the town at around 6.30pm.
Paul (21) and David (18) Kirby, of Avoncore Estate, are believed to have been killed instantly when their Honda Civic was in collision with a Toyota Avensis at the Cloyne Road, Ballincurra.
It is understood the driver of the Avensis, a man from the Cloyne area, suffered serious chest injuries. He was rushed to Cork University Hospital.
Firefighters from Midleton had to use cutting equipment to remove the two brothers and free the other driver. Both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene and the last rites were administered by a local priest before their bodies were removed to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem today.
The incident happened near a sharp bend close to the townland of Scarriff just a mile outside Ballincurra village. Gardaí have appealed to any witnesses to contact them at 021- 4621550.
Last night's fatalities bring to 111 the number of people to die on Irish roads so far this year.
They follow the death earlier in the day of a man in his 50s whose car hit a tree and went on fire at Ballyboe, Rathmullan, Co Donegal.