Horror crash kills 3 brothers and friend

Three young brothers and a friend lost their lives in a head-on crash in the Midlands after the car they were travelling in overtook another vehicle and ploughed into a minibus.

The carnage occurred shortly before 5.30pm yesterday on the outskirts of Tullamore, Co Offaly.

All four dead, said to be in their 20s, are believed to be from the Portarlington area.

The incident brings to 114 the number of people who have died so far this year on Irish roads.

The men were travelling in a Honda Civic which crashed about 1km outside of Tullamore on the R420 to Geashill road.

The force of the impact propelled the minibus on to the hard shoulder.

It is believed the brothers’ friend has a partner and young child, according to local sources.

There were harrowing scenes when a car carrying two women and a man arrived at the scene a short time later.

The women spoke to a garda at a checkpoint before collapsing in floods of tears.

Three occupants of the minibus were taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore where they were being treated last night for injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening.

People who came across the scene said it happened on a straight and normally very safe stretch of road. Weather and road con-ditions at the time were reported as being excellent.

Gardaí were quickly on the scene and immediately closed off the road.

However, one person said he could see in the distance a blue plastic-type tent which appeared to be covering bodies.

Garda forensic collision investigators were carrying out a detailed examination of the scene last night.

Gardaí have asked for witnesses to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 9327600, the Garda confidential line 1800 666111, or any Garda station.