The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, was involved in a head-on collision yesterday on a major tourist route in Co Kerry. Two American tourists were in a serious condition last night, writes Anne Lucey in Killarney.
The collision occurred between the Minister's car and a rental car occupied by two tourists, a couple from St Louis in the US. One of the tourists was said to be in a serious condition.
Five people - the tourists, Mr Ó Cuív, his male garda driver and female secretary - were taken by ambulance to Kerry General Hospital.
The accident occurred at around 2.40 p.m. Fire service personnel had to use cutting equipment to remove the roof of the rented Opel in order to free one of the two passengers.
The Minister's black Volvo was badly burnt. It appears to have burst into flames soon after the collision.
The incident took place on the N71 between two of the most visited beauty spots on the Ring of Kerry, Muckross House and Torc Waterfall.
Mr Ó Cuív's car was heading south on the narrow wooded road in the direction of Kenmare. The tourists' car was travelling towards Killarney.
Mr Ó Cuív was able to walk but had a laceration on his left arm, and was thought last night to have suffered a broken finger and possible wrist injury. A fireman said there was a gun in the back of the Minister's car which was believed to belong to the Garda driver.
The Minister and his driver were expected to be released from Kerry General Hospital last night.
His secretary was said to be in a comfortable condition.