Northern Ireland

Four dead after Co Galway collision

A BABY is reported to have been among four people killed in a three-vehicle collision in Co Galway.

All were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the M6 motorway near Ballinasloe, including three who were travelling in one car and are understood to be a couple and their infant child.

The collision happened at around 7.40pm on Thursday, in a 24-hour period that saw six people killed on Ireland's roads and a further six people injured in a three-car crash on the north's M1.

According to news reports the other person who died in Co Galway was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that accidentally drove onto the motorway in the wrong direction and collided head-on with the family's vehicle.

An occupant of a third car was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the remains of those who died were removed to Portiuncula University Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The motorway was closed in both directions yesterday for a detailed examination of the crash site.

The deadly collision took place just hours after two men were killed in a crash in Co Meath.

The three-vehicle collision took place on the R152 at Keenogue, Duleek, at around 6.40am on Thursday.

The driver of a van involved in the crash, who was aged in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 30s, who was driving a car, was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, with serious injuries but died a short time later.

The deaths bring to 92 the number of people who have lost their lives on the Republic's roads this year.

Meanwhile, six people have been treated in hospital after a collision on the M1 motorway on Thursday.

The PSNI said it received reports of a two-vehicle collision shortly before 10.30pm on Thursday west bound between Blaris and Moira.

They say that a second collision occurred in the same location a short time later, when a third car is understood to have crashed into the others.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said three emergency crews, a paramedic and a doctor were sent to the scene and treated the injured before taking them to hospital.

There were no details last night about the extent of their injuries.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of a number of driving offences, with one later released on bail while the other remained in custody last night.

The motorway was closed westbound between Sprucefield and Moira, but has since reopened.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have dash cam footage of it to contact them on the non-emergency number.