Don’t be the reason a loved one’s missing from a Carlow or Kilkenny festive gathering due to a crash

Five weeks out from Christmas Eve and Gardaí are appealing to all motorists to take extra care.

They say in the wake of the horrific loss of life in Louth at the weekend people should be mindful to slow down, to not drink or take drugs and drive, to put away mobile phones and remain concentrated on your driving.

Sgt PJ Griffin from the Thomastown/Graignamanagh area says he and his colleagues do not want to have to arrive at a local home to tell somebody they’ll be missing a loved one for the festive season;