FOUR WOMEN were killed and two people injured in a collision between a car and a pick-up truck on the Galway-Mayo border last night. It is understood all of those killed were in their 20s.
The deaths brought to six the number of fatalities on the roads yesterday, after earlier crashes claimed the lives of a woman in Galway and a man in Longford.
Last night’s crash occurred shortly before 8pm on the N17 between the villages of Milltown, Co Galway, north of Tuam and Ballindine, Co Mayo.
The four women who were killed were travelling in the same car, a fifth travelling in the pick-upt ruck was in a critical condition last night in the Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar.
The driver of the truck was also injured and was taken to the same hospital for treatment.
Gardaí closed a section of the N17 at Carrownurlaur, and diversions were put in place.
This stretch of road was expected to remain closed until this morning, when Garda forensic experts will examine the scene.
Weather conditions last night were hazardous, with thunder, lightning and torrential rain across Galway city and county.
Earlier yesterday a woman was killed and one of her grandchildren hospitalised when the car she was driving crashed into a house in the village of Williamstown, Co Galway. The woman was named locally as Sally O’Brien (58), a native of Williamstown.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her body was taken to University College Hospital in Galway. The crash occurred on the Glenamaddy Road in the village of Williamstown at 9.20am.
Ms O’Brien’s five-year-old granddaughter was injured and was also taken to hospital in Galway. Her injuries were described as not life- threatening.
Williamstown parish priest Fr Brendan McGuinness said there was a sense of “disbelief” in the village.
Gardaí were unable to confirm whether there had been anyone in the house at the time of the crash. The investigation is being conducted by Tuam gardaí, who asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Tuam Garda station on 093-70840.
A 31-year-old man died yesterday following a two-vehicle collision in Co Longford.
The incident happened shortly after 2.30pm at Agharra on the road between Ratharney and Ballynacargy.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene after the car in which he was the sole occupant was involved in a collision with a 4x4.