Separate Garda and GSOC investigations have been launched following a serious road crash in Co. Kildare yesterday.

Six people, including two children, were injured in the two-car collision at Ballagh on the Portarlington to Monasterevin Road shortly after midday.

The Garda Ombudsman was called in to investigate, after it emerged that one of the cars involved in the crash had been followed by a Garda patrol car in the area before the crash, although GSOC says its involvement does not imply any Garda misconduct.

Following the incident, two of the occupants of one of the cars were taken to Tallaght and Beaumont hospitals in Dublin with serious injuries.

While the third occupant of the same car was taken to Tullamore Hospital.

The occupants of the second car - a man and two children - a 2 year old boy and 7 year old girl - were also taken to Tullamore Hospital.

Gardai in Kildare are investigating and appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them.