Two Irish women were killed in a hit-and-run incident in Rome this morning.
Mary Clare Collins (29) from Co Kildare and Elizabeth Anne Gubbins (28) from Co Limerick were knocked down by a car on the Lungotevere Altoviti near Castel Sant'Angelo in the centre of the Italian capital at around 3.00am as they returned home from a night out celebrating St Patrick's Day.
It is understood they were knocked down by a Mercedes as they used a pedestrian crossing.
According to local police, a man (32) who fled the scene was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and drink-driving.
One of the victims was reportedly thrown into the air while the other was dragged 60 metres by the speeding car.
The driver sped away from the scene but crashed into a number of parked cars and rubbish bins a few kilometres away and was arrested.
La Repubblicareported that the man, who is the son of a former Rome police chief, was four and a half times over the legal alcohol limit.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said consular assistance is being provided for the dead women's families.
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