Meath communities in mourning following tragedies

Meath is in mourning tonight following the deaths of three men in tragic accidents.

Two men from the Athboy area died in a light aircraft crash on the Carlow-Wexford border, while a Dunshaughlin man died in a road collision near Kells.

The two men died in a light aircraft crash on the Blackstairs Mountains this afternoon.

The plane took off from Ballyboy airfield near Athboy this morning heading towards Wexford. The two are men, one is his early 50s, the other in his 60s, were both from the Athboy-Rathmore area.

RTE reported that the plane crashed in the early afternoon in what were described as good weather conditions. A hill walker reported the crash to gardaí shortly after 2pm. The location is very remote, with recovery teams having to be flown in by the coastguard helicopter based in Waterford.

Gardaí at Kells are investigating a two car fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the southbound carriageway of the N3 north of Kells at approximately 12.20pm today.

A male driver in his 50s, believed to be from Dunshaughlin, was seriously injured when his car was in collision with another car. He was removed to Navan Hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. No other persons were injured.

The road was closed to traffic and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators were requested to examine the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kells Garda Station 046-9280820 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.