TWO MEN were killed and five others were injured in a car crash in Portarlington, Co Offaly, yesterday afternoon.
The deaths bring to 102 the number of people killed on roads in the Republic this year.
The men, aged 50 and 20, were travelling in the same car, one as driver and the other as a backseat passenger, when the collision with another car occurred at Annamoe, Portarlington, shortly before 2pm.
The bodies of the two men were removed to Portlaoise hospital.
The five others were treated in hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
The road remained closed yesterday evening and diversions were in place as investigators examined the scene. Gardaí at Portlaoise station have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about the collision to contact them at 057-8674100.
Four people have been killed in road incidents this month.
Last week, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the number of deaths on the road was kept below 20 last month and in March. He added, however, that "there were 15 more deaths in the first two months of this year than during the same period last year".
