Families in shock after Monaghan crash kills four

Family, friends and neighbours of four young men killed in a road crash in Monaghan have been plunged into a deep state of shock, it was claimed today.

Fine Gael and Sinn Féin TDs Seymour Crawford and Caoimhghin O Caolain said locals were stunned by the head-on collision which claimed the lives of four young men, aged between 19 and 21, in Co Monaghan.

The accident occurred on the Monaghan to Threemilehouse road shortly after 2am.

A fifth man, aged 27, was being treated in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital after he was transferred from Monaghan General Hospital.

The victims, whose bodies were taken to Louth County Hospital for a post-mortem examination, have not yet been named.

Mr Crawford said he knew the victims.

"This is an absolutely dreadful tragedy," the Cavan Monaghan TD said. "People are obviously extremely stunned to see four young people taken in the prime of their lives and another man seriously ill.

"All the victims would be known locally and people are in a deep state of shock. It just seems that all too often in this country the lives of young people who go out during the weekend are taken on our roads in the early hours of the morning.

"My sympathies obviously go out the families affected by this crash."

Gardaí sealed off the crash scene for a technical examination.

They said all four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sinn Féin TD for the area Caoimhghin O Caolain also expressed sympathy.

"The entire community of Threemilehouse, Clones and north Monaghan is in shock this morning on learning of the loss of four young lives in such tragic circumstances," he said.

"On behalf of myself and Monaghan Sinn Fein I was to extend heartfelt sympathy to all of the bereaved and join with the entire community in offering our support at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all."

North of the border, SDLP Assembly member John Dallat sent his best wishes to the bereaved and called for an all-Ireland road safety strategy to prevent such tragedies.

Meanwhile in Co Wexford, a fifth person was killed on the roads.

The 32-year-old man was knocked down last night by a car as he walked along the N25 at Ballygoman, Barntown at around 9.45pm.

He was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman driver of the car was treated for shock at Wexford General Hospital.