Three young people killed and one injured in Co Carlow crash

Three people in their 20s have been killed and one seriously injured in a car crash in Co Carlow overnight.

The single vehicle crash took place on the N80 at a townsland known as Leagh between Graiguenaspiddoge and Kelllistown between 11.15pm and midnight.

The scene, about 5km from Carlow town, is near a well-known traffic blackspot close to the Fighting Cocks pub and restaurant.

All of those who were killed are understood to be from the Kiltegan area, of west Co Wicklow.

All of those who died, understood to be two men and one woman, were occupants of the one vehicle. A fourth occupant, a man in his 20s whose injuries are understood to be serious, was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital for treatment.

The road is closed between Glynn’s Buses and Tinryland to allow for an extensive forensic crash investigation by Garda teams.

Paramedics from Carlow town and Kilkenny city attended the scene along with fire units and gardaí.

It is understood the crash occurred following heavy rain and freezing conditions.

It follows at least four fatal crashes along the same stretch of road in recent times. Numerous representations have been made to Carlow County Council over the road by local politicians.

“All the diverted traffic is passing by my house since the early hours of this morning. It’s absolutely shocking what has happened and people are waking up to such distressing news,” a local resident said. “But there have been at least four fatal accidents on that road last year. It’s a very busy road which is quite wide and then narrows very quickly with several dips on the road.”

A Garda statement said: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of a fatal single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 11:30pm on Wednesday 31st on the N80 at Leagh on the Wexford Road in County Carlow.

“Three occupants of the car, the driver and two passengers, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Another passenger in the car, a man in his 20s, was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

“The N80 at Leagh is currently closed and will remain closed for a number of hours as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examine the scene. Local diversions are in place. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.”

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N80 at Leagh between 11.15pm and midnight are asked to make it available to gardaí.

Gardaí are appealing for any information to contact Carlow Garda station on 059-9136620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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