A CO Limerick community is in grief following the death of a well-known local couple in a two-car crash on Wednesday.
Maurice (Moss) Hartnett (61), and wife Margaret Hartnett (59), of Gurteen, Ballingarry, Co Limerick, died following a collision between the van they were travelling in and an SUV on the main Askeaton to Rathkeale Road.
The couple, who are survived by six children, suffered fatal injuries after the van collided with the four-wheel drive vehicle at 5.45pm, about two miles outside the town of Askeaton.
The driver of the SUV, a man in his 20s from the Askeaton area, was in a critical condition in hospital yesterday.
The passenger in that vehicle, a man from the Rathkeale area, was in a serious but stable condition at the Midwestern Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.
Gardaí are investigating the collision. It is understood both vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when the crash occurred.
Ms Hartnett died at the scene while her husband died a short time later in hospital.
The dead couple are survived by six children.
Gardaí yesterday appealed to anyone who may have information about the collision to contact them at 061-601630.