Mother and son 'critical' after crash

The family car involved in the crossroads crash

A young mother and her nine-year-old son remain in a critical condition in hospital following a road accident in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday in which three children were killed.

The family were on their way to Bundoran in County Donegal when their car was in collision with a milk tanker near Monaghan.

The woman's five year-old daughter died in hospital, and two other children, both aged 14, died at the scene.

Her husband and their three month-old baby were slightly injured.

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

Garda Chief Superintendent Dennis Fitzpatrick

It is understood the crash happened on the main Monaghan to Cootehill Road near Swann's Cross shortly after 1300 BST on Tuesday.

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

Speaking on Tuesday after the crash he said: "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."