The Road Safety Officer for Kildare has described last night's crash outside Athy in which 4 women were killed as 'appalling, tragic and beyond comprehension'.
Declan Keogh said the four deaths have torn asunder many families, friends and communities in Athy and Carlow, where the girls were from.
There have this afternoon been named as lifelong friends Aisling Middleton (19) from Athy, Chermain Carroll (20) from Carlow, Gemma Nolan (19) from carlow and Niamh Doyle (19) also from Carlow.
All four were killed when the car they were passengers in collided with a van near Athy just before 10pm.
The car’s driver and the two men who were travelling in the van are still being treated for their injuries.
Gardai are still trying to piece together the full facts surrounding the crash. Forensic Collision investigators have spent the day examining the scene.
Mr. Keogh said now is not the time or place for the who, what, why and how, but said we should all think of this crash, look at the severity of the collision and its outcome, and pray for those who have died, and those who are in hospital.
