Ten people have been killed on Irish roads since Friday, the highest death toll during any weekend this year. Kitty Holland and Christine Newman report
Last night Mr Conor Faughnan, of the AA, issued an urgent warning to motorists about treacherous conditions on the roads, with more bad weather expected today.
He said he suspected that the sudden turn to wintry weather could have played a significant part in one of the blackest weekends on Irish roads in memory.
Oil and dirt would have built up on the roads during the recent dry spells, but with the wet conditions the roads had become slippery and treacherous.
Mr Brian Farrell, spokesman for the National Safety Council, said: "I hope we're not seeing a reversal in the trend where the number of road fatalities was coming down."
He pointed out that the number of road fatalities from January to last Friday was 51 fewer than in the same period last year.
In the Republic, 251 people were killed on the roads this year to Friday.
Yesterday, a woman inher 20s was fatally injured in a traffic accident on the Kilmeaden to Dungarvan Road near Tramore, Co Waterford. The accident, which involved three cars, happened at approximately 7.30 p.m.
In Co Cork, a man in his 20s was killed in an accident between a car and a van at Goulane North, Donomore, Macroom at 5.30 pm.
In Co Offaly at 3.45 p.m. a man in his late 30s was killed in an accident between a motorcycle and a jeep at Lough, Greeshill. The deceased was the driver of the motorcycle.
A 31-year-old motorcyclist hit a wall at Hazelhatch Road, Newcastle, Co Dublin.The injured man was brought to Tallaght hospital where he died a short time later.
A 36-year-old man was killed at Derrydonnell, Oranmore, Co Galway. Mr Patrick Finnerty (36), Oranmore, was the driver of a vehicle which collided with a wall.
He died at the scene while the two other occupants were taken to University College Hospital, Galway.
On Saturday, two men were killed in Co Tipperary. Mr Patrick Kennedy (41), Laffana, Clonoulty, died when his Fiat Uno was in collision with a Toyota Carina shortly after 7.30 p.m. on the Limerick to Tipperary road.
Mr Neil McCormack (25), Chapelane, Oola, Co Limerick, the driver of the Carina, also died at the scene. A third man, a passenger in the Uno, was taken to Clonmel hospital where his condition was described as stable.
Also on Saturday, two people were killed in separate accidents in Co Cork. Mr Shane Cooney (19), Coachford, was fatally injured when the car in which he was travelling hit a tree. The accident happened on the Millstreet to Rathmore road. Mr Cooney was a front-seat passenger.
At 1.45 p.m. Ms Colette Briscoe (25), Shannon Park, Portumna, Co Galway, was killed in a three-car accident at Parkadallane, Mallow, Co Cork.
On Saturday Mr Wesley Conway (19), Cranmore Drive, Sligo, died in hospital in Dublin. A motorcyclist, he had been in collision with a car on Friday in Maugheraboy, Co Sligo.