A passenger plane with 148 people on board has crashed in the southern French Alps.

It's understood the Airbus A320 - belonging to the airline Germanwings - was en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf when it came down in Digne-les-Bains.

It disappeared from radar screens about an hour after taking off - at around a quarter to 11 local time.

The French President Francois Hollande says there are likely 'no survivors'.

The Department of Foreign Affairs say it is aware of the plane crash but has no information as yet on the nationalities involved.

Anybody with any concerns can call at 01 4780822.