Man and woman die in Cork crash

The bank holiday exodus began on a tragic note after two people in their 60s were killed in a crash outside Macroom.

The female driver and male passenger were travelling westward near Lissarda on the main N22 Cork to Killarney road at 6.25pm.

Their car struck another which was travelling in the opposite direction, and they died at the scene. The other car contained two adults and two children, who were not seriously injured but were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

The incident happened at Crookstown cross, about 5km east of Macroom.

Gardaí said the road was busy at the time, with many people travelling for the long weekend, and they have appealed for witnesses.

The road was closed to facilitate the work of investigators, and diversions were put in place.

Separately, gardaí made an appeal to other motorists on the move this weekend and warned them that severe weather was likely to cause dangerous conditions.

The warning said the heavy rain that was forecast required drivers to slow down and use their lights, even during daylight.