A motorist who was arrested this morning after a garda and a fireman were killed in a Co Limerick crash has been freed without charge.
Garda Brian Kelleher (46) and firefighter Michael Liston (47) were part of an emergency services crew attending the scene of a traffic collision at Borrigone, Askeaton at around 5.00am when they were knocked down by a car.
They were overseeing the lifting of a crashed car onto a vehicle transporter when they were hit by an oncoming car on the N69 road between Foynes and Askeaton.
A man (18) was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick City for questioning. He was later released. A Garda spokesman said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Witnesses have been asked to contact Askeaton Garda Station on 061 601630.
Sergeant Vincent McCoy, of nearby Askeaton Garda Station, said the exact circumstances of the incident were yet to be established in a major investigation. He said officers were in shock at the sudden loss of their colleague, a father of three young children, originally from Mallow, Co Cork.
"We get called out to these scenes every day and you almost become immune to it, but when it's one of your colleagues, the members are extremely shocked by it."
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has conveyed his sympathies to the family of the garda who was killed.
"I have asked the Garda Commissioner to convey my condolences and those of the Government to the bereaved family of the Garda who tragically lost his life this morning.
"This tragic event, the loss of life of two emergency workers, is a stark reminder of the risks which people who work for An Garda Síochána and other emergency services take day in day out in seeking to promote public safety and to protect life."
Minister for Defence and Limerick East TD Willie O'Dea called the deaths a terrible tragedy.