A two-year-old boy drowned yesterday after falling into the River Burrin in Carlow town at about 6 p.m. The boy, who was named locally as Rory Curran, of Hanover Court, Carlow, was with his mother when he slipped and fell into the river near the town centre.
He was swept down-river in strong currents but was recovered about 200 yards away by two students who dived in to save him. Efforts to revive the boy failed. His body was taken to Carlow District Hospital, where a post-mortem will be carried out today.
Meanwhile, a woman was killed and a second person injured in a two-car crash at Derrygrath, outside Cahir, Co Tipperary, yesterday.
The crash occurred at 11.30 a.m. as one car attempted to overtake the other. The local woman who was fatally injured was a front-seat passenger. Her name was not being released until relatives have been informed.
The driver was taken to Cashel Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle escaped uninjured.