Three men died in a road accident near Navan in Co Meath early today.
Two men - both in their late 30s - were killed when a car ploughed into them as they walked along the N3 near their home in Kilcarn. The third victim is believed to have been thrown from the grey Rover as it struck on impact.
Several ambulances, gardaí and fire brigade units attended the scene of the accident.
The car driver, believed to be Latvian, and another passenger were taken to Navan General Hospital for treatment. The passenger was later discharged, and the driver is said to be in a serious but stable condition in intensive care.
Navan Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the accident, or anyone who saw the car in the area before the incident to come forward.
"It was a severe impact, there was a lot of damage done to the car," said a garda at Navan Garda Station.
Gardaí closed off the main Dublin/Navan road, N3, for examination by the Garda accident investigation unit and diversions were put in place.
Navan gardaí said pedestrians have in the past been knocked down walking home from a hotel on that stretch of road.
The three deaths bring the death toll on the country's roads so far this year to eight.
Gardai and AA Roadwatch also urged motorists to take care as road conditions were treacherous this morning in many parts of the country, particularly in the midlands.
AA Roadwatch said there were several crashes across the country during the morning as a result of icy roads.
PA