Three children die in road crash

The crash involved a car and a milk tanker

Three children have died in a road accident in the Irish Republic.

The victims were a 14-year-old boy, his five-year-old cousin and her aunt, who was also 14.

Four others are being treated in Monaghan General Hospital following the accident in County Monaghan on Tuesday.

A mother and her 10-year-old son are said to be in a critical condition.

It is understood a van and a car were involved in the crash on the main Monaghan to Cootehill Road near Swann's Cross shortly after 1300 BST.

Chief superintendent Dennis Fitzpatrick of the Irish police said it was a terrible tragedy.

"It involved a car with a number of passengers and a milk tanker," he said.

"As a result three people are dead, four people are in hospital and the mother and a child are critical.

"We understand the people were on their way to their holidays from County Meath to Donegal."