Community in 'state of shock' as two killed and two others hospitalised in Co Carlow crash

The incident happened at around 1.15am in Leagh, Rathoe on Friday. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Two men have died and two other young people have been injured following a single-vehicle crash on the N80 in Co Carlow.

It is understood the car hit a tree in the incident which occurred at around 1.15am in Leagh, Rathoe on Friday.

Two occupants of the car, the driver and one of the passengers, who were both in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other passengers, a man and a woman in their 20s, were taken to St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The four in the car were living in the same house together. It is understood that the two young men who died had just finished college at South East Technological University.

Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell from Carlow Garda Station said: "A black Audi A6 was traveling towards Carlow town when it traversed the road and hit a tree at Graiguenaspiddoge. The car is believed to have travelled from the direction of the Mount Leinster area, through Fenagh and onto Carlow.

"The road will remain closed until this afternoon. A full technical examination will be conducted today. All of those in the car are part of our Indian community living together in Carlow town. Our sincere sympathies are extended to the community at this time.

"Gardaí are aware of a number of images being posted on social media following the collision. It is not helpful to the Garda investigation but more importantly to a family, friends who are mourning the loss of a loved one. I would ask those people to take the images down immediately."

The N80 at Leagh is currently closed for a number of hours as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examine the scene. Local diversions are in place, a garda spokesperson said.

It is understood the four had met at the popular meeting spot of the Nine Stones carpark on Mount Leinster prior to the accident.

On this day last year, three young people were also killed in a crash on the same road. Katie Graham, 19, from Co Laois, Daryl Culbert, 21, from Co Wicklow, and Michael Kelly, 25, from Co Carlow all died in that crash. A man in his 20s was also injured. 

Local councillor Will Paton said the news of the crash was "horrific".  

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Friday, Mr Payton explained that the accident is "a year to the day" where three other young people were fatally injured.

"We’re all in a state of shock, and trying to figure out what’s going on.

"There has been a history of deaths, crashes, incidents, accidents at that particular area," he said. "It’s gone on far too long. We really need to address this problem urgently."

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

It is understood the vehicle involved in this collision was travelling from Mount Leinster to Carlow town via Fenagh. 

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling along this route, or who were on the N80 at Leagh between midnight and 1.15am are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 913 6620, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.