A young man who was in a critical condition after becoming unresponsive at a Tullamore homeless hostel earlier in the week has died.

Two women died at the hostel on Sunday and Monday.

The 23-year-old man had been receiving medical attention at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore since Monday.

Another man (32) was also taken to the hospital and has now been released.

Earlier in the week, it emerged Gardaí were investigating whether a batch of counterfeit Xanax tablets, purchased online, had led to the deaths.

Gardaí are also whether the death of a 30-year-old man in the town last week is linked to the investigation.

The results of toxicology tests are not being released for operational reasons.

This morning, they are carrying out searches in Tullamore and Portarlington. Armed gardai, the Garda Dog Unit and the local Drugs Unit are assisting the searches.