A toddler and a baby have been killed in Tuam, Co Galway, after they were knocked down by a car as they were being wheeled in a buggy by their father along the hard shoulder of the N17 near the turn off for Dunmore.
The children, a girl aged two and her baby sister aged two months, were taken to University College Hospital in Galway where they were pronounced dead.
The driver of the car, who was its sole occupant, and the girls' father were taken to the same hospital with injuries described as not life threatening.
The crash happened at about 1.45pm.
The N17 reopened shortly before 8pm after an examination by Garda forensic collision investigators was completed.
Fine Gael Councillor Tom McHugh, who owns the Ard Ri Hotel 50 metres away from the scene of the accident, said the community is devastated by the tragedy.
“A terrible dark cloud is hanging over the community of the family and the community of the children’s grandparents,” he said.
“Everyone here in Tuam is in a state of shock at the news. Nobody seems to know what happened but it is an awful tragedy.
“My sympathy goes out to the girls parents and grandparents. I wish their father a speedy recovery. It is too traumatic and horrendous to even imagine what they are going through,” he said.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Tuam Garda Station on 093-70840, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.