Child and aunt die in Monaghan crash

A 12-year-old boy and his 15-year-old aunt were killed after the car in which they were travelling hit a milk lorry on the main Monaghan to Cootehill road this afternoon.

The accident happened at Swanscross at about 1.20pm.

The mother and father of the child and their two siblings, who were also in the car, have been taken to Monaghan General Hospital and one of them is believed to be seriously injured.

The road has been sealed off and traffic has been diverted from the scene via Ballybeg.

Today's tragedy brings the death toll of people killed on Ireland's roads this year to 214.