TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenage couple who lost their lives after a road traffic collison on Friday night.
Gary Kelly (19) and his girlfriend Delia Keary (18) were involved in a fatal two-vehicle crash at about 7.40pm on Friday in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.
Mr Kelly died at the scene while Ms Keary was taken to hospital with severe injuries.
She was pronounced dead in hospital on Saturday night.
Friends and family have taken to social media to offer tributes to the couple and express their sympathy over the "appalling loss of life."
“I can’t put into words or describe how I feel right now,” wrote one friend. "Absolutely such shocking and heartbreaking news."
Another said: “Farewell to two good friends Gary Kelly and Delia Keary. I’ll miss you both and you’ll be remembered fondly by everyone who knew you. Rest in peace."
The pair had attended secondary school together at Rice College in nearby Ennis in Co. Clare.
The funeral of Mr Kelly will take place in Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday morning at 11am.
Funeral arrangements for Ms Keary have not yet been announced.
The deaths are two of seven which occurred on Irish roads between last Friday and Sunday.
Road Safety Authority (RSA) CEO Moyagh Murdock said in a statement that the deaths represented an "appalling loss of life".
“These deaths should serve as a reminder to us all that using the road is the most dangerous thing we do each day,” said Murdock.
“I would appeal to drivers to act responsibly, drive at the right speed for the conditions, don’t drive when impaired either through alcohol, drugs or fatigue and always wear a seatbelt and ensure passengers are wearing theirs too, no matter how short the trip."
On Friday, a cyclist in Dublin and a man in Tipperary died in separate incidents on the roads.
Meanwhile, three other road users died in separate incidents in Cork, Mayo and Cavan over the weekend.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
