Road victims' names are released

Two of the cars involved in the accident

The police have released the names of the two men who died in a road accident near Newry on Friday night.

The victims were 44-year-old Stephen Shields from Newry and Gerard Fearon, who was 26 and from Dromintee.

The accident - involving three cars - happened about half a mile from Newry shortly before midnight.

It is understood one of the vehicles was a taxi. One man died at the scene, the other died shortly after arriving at hospital.

Three other people were injured. Two were described on Saturday as being ill but stable, while the injuries of the third person were not believed to be life threatening.

Police said a number of people stopped at the scene of the accident and they have asked for them to contact them.

Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy of Sinn Fein said that the news had shocked the community.

"Death on our roads has become all to common news.

"Presently the thoughts and prayers of all are with the families of both killed," he said.

Flowers laid at the scene of the crash

SDLP assembly member Dominic Bradley said the accident was tragic.

"Once again two families have been left bereaved and my sympathy and the sympathy of the whole community here goes out to them.

"I know that this community will do everything possible to support the families at this very sad time for them," he said.

The accident brings to 102 the number of people killed on Northern Ireland's roads this year.