Gardai have confirmed that two motorcyclists died on Irish roads in separate collisions that happened within hours of each other.
The first crash, which also involved a tractor, happened at Gooseberryhill, a rural townland around 7.5km away from Newmarket in Co Cork around 8.15pm on Tuesday.
A man aged in his 40s, who was driving the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE: Motorcyclist dies in horror tractor crash as gardai close rural road in Cork
Emergency services were later called to the scene of a single vehicle fatal crash 180km away in Co Westmeath.
A motorcyclist, a man aged in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene in the Kilmartins Roundabout area on the Dublin Road in Athlone.
Both areas have been closed off for forensic collision investigations with local diversions in place.
Gardai are also appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.
Commenting on the Cork crash, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai are currently at the scene of a fatal road traffic collision involving a tractor and a motorcycle that occurred at approximately 8:15pm on Tuesday 23rd May 2023 at Gooseberryhill, Newmarket, County Cork.
The motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries to persons was reported.
“The road at Gooseberryhill, Newmarket is currently closed with local diversions in place. Forensic Collision Investigators are expected to conduct an examination of the scene this morning, Wednesday 24th May 2023.
“Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Gooseberryhill area between 7:45pm and 8:30pm are asked to make this footage available to gardai.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
In a statement about the Westmeath crash, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai are currently at the scene of a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision involving a motorcycle that occurred at approximately 2:20am on Wednesday 24th May 2023 in the Kilmartins Roundabout area on the Dublin Road in Athlone, County Westmeath.
“The motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The Kilmartins Roundabout is currently closed and the services of Forensic Collision Investigators have been requested. Junction 10 on the N6 is also closed and there are diversions via Junction 9. Road users travelling between Athlone and Moate are advised to use the M6 as a portion of the R446 is also currently closed.
“Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Kilmartins Roundabout area of Athlone between 2am and 2:30am are asked to make this footage available to gardai.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 649 2600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
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