Four young people who died in a road crash in Co Tipperary while on the way to exam celebrations have been named by Irish police.
The driver Luke McSweeney, 24, and three passengers including his sister Grace McSweeney, Zoey Coffey and Nicole Murphy, all 18, were killed after the car they were in struck a wall.
The crash happened close to the entrance of Hillview Sports Club in Mountain Road in the town of Clonmel at around 7.30pm on Friday.
The victims are thought to have been on their way to mark receiving the results of their Leaving Certificate exams.
Superintendent Kieran Ruane, from Clonmel Garda Station, expressed his “condolences and sympathies” in a statement to media near the scene.
“Our local communities in particular Clonmel, Kilsheelan and Ballypatrick are shocked and deeply saddened by these events,” he said.
“I want to assure our local communities that An Garda Síochána is here over the coming days, weeks and months to support our communities as we all come to terms with this tragedy.
“I have been in contact with the principals of the local secondary schools that the girls attended and supports are being put in place for the friends of all four deceased today and over the next few days.”
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Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar described their deaths in a statement as “truly devastating and heartbreaking”.
“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the tragic incident in Clonmel last night,” he said.
“Leaving Cert results night should mark the beginning of a world of opportunities for young people. It’s a milestone on the road from childhood to adulthood. For young lives, so full of possibility, to be cut short in this way is truly devastating and heartbreaking. The whole nation mourns them.
“My sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have died and the wider community in Clonmel and Tipperary. The thoughts of the whole country are with them, their school and their community.
“I am assured that the school authorities and (the health service) will work together to put in place the necessary supports for their classmates and community. We must come together in times such as this.”
Mr Varadkar then said in Irish: “May their souls be at God’s right hand.”
Higher education minister Simon Harris TD said there was “grief, shock and sadness” after the “devastating” and “heartbreaking” incident.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “Leaving Cert results day represents achievement, celebration and excitement.
“Tonight that has been replaced by grief, shock and sadness… There are no words. Heartbreaking.”
And local priest Father Toomey said: “Sometimes no words seem adequate when a tragedy like what occurred in Clonmel tonight happens.
No words can give comfort at this time.”