Two female pedestrians killed in collision on busy road after stepping off bus

The accident happened at Hunterstown, south of Ardee.

It is understood that the women, who are in the their 60s stepped off a bus and were crossing the road to where their car was parked when they were struck by a vehicle.

Gardai have sealed off the road and a garda spokesman said that the road will be closed overnight and tomorrow. The driver was uninjured and remained at the scene.

Diversions are currently in place.

The women were pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics and fire fighters were also at the scene.

The bodies of the women have been removed from the scene and have been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital where a post-mortem is expected to take place tomorrow.

Members of the family of the deceased visited the scene this evening.

Cllr Jim Tenanty visited the scene and saw several emergency vehicles and gardaí diverting traffic.

He said: "It happened at about 6.20pm. People are shocked, absolutely. The road is just after being reopened on December 22 after they took the dangerous junction out of it to make it safer."

Local man Aaron McCabe was in the area at the time.

"I didn't see it happen but I just went up and seen four ambulances and a fire brigade. It happened just outside the Hunsterstown Inn."

Parish priest Fr Peter Murphy was last night calling to the homes of the families of the deceased and said: "It is a terrible shock for everybody."

Another man who did not want to be named said: "The news is just coming through now. Everybody is in shock.  They were two lovely ladies.  One of them did a lot for the community, they were just lovely, we are all in shock."

The car park of the Hunterstown Inn is used by people who park there and then get the bus to Dublin.

Gardai wish to appeal for witnesses to contact Ardee Garda Station on 041-6871130, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.