Four young people have lost their lives after being involved in road traffic collisions prompting a call from the Taoiseach for people to show caution when driving.
Two accidents in counties Kilkenny and Limerick claimed the lives of three young teenage girls over the weekend.
"It is like all of the accidents, they are all horrific and they are all very sad stories for the families, for friends and for communities," Mr Ahern said. "And all we can continue to do is to urge people to show caution." Mr Ahern said he was aware it was high summer with a lot of traffic on the roads. "I am conscious that there are two million vehicles out there very day and people just have to give themselves a bit more time, slow down a bit and just take it easy," he said.
Gardai named the 14-year-old girl killed in a traffic collision in Co Kilkenny as Catherine Doyle of Mile Post, Slieverue. She was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle which collided with a wall.
Gardaí at Thomastown are investigating the crash which took place shortly after 8pm at Lismateige, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny. Investigating officers have appealed for witnesses to contact them.
In Limerick, a young man died in the village of Tournafulla after his car went into a ditch.
A male motorcyclist in his mid 20s died when his vehicle collided with a car in Gorey.
A 15-year-old girl died in hospital today after she was injured in a collision yesterday in Galbally, Co Limerick.
The girl was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital following the single vehicle collision at Killinane, Galbally, Co Limerick.
The 15-year-old, who was a rear seat passenger in the car, died in Limerick Regional Hospital in the early hours of this morning from her injuries.
The single vehicle crash had already claimed the life of another 15-year-old, Leanne Miller of Kilteely, Limerick. She died at the scene.