The three women who died in a head-on collision in County Limerick yesterday have been named locally.

78-year-old Mary Noonan from Loughill – a sister of the former Finance Minister Michael Noonan – was the driver of one of the cars involved in the crash.

73-year-old Mary Costello from Ballinacragga in Foynes and 77-year-old Mary Bradley, from Pallaskenny also died in the crash.

A fourth woman, 70-year-old Mary Griffin from Ballynash, Foynes was taken to University Hospital Limerick with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

The crash happened just outside Loughill village at around 6:30pm yesterday evening.

Local priest Father Thomas Crawford said he travelled to the scene to do his best for those who died.

“To come across the scene where people had died tragically, that is what I went to bed with,” he said.

“There were people at the side of the road numb looking at what they were at.

“Then I arrived and all I could do was do what I was ordained to do – pray over the people and do my best for them.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have dash cam footage to come forward.