A two-vehicle traffic accident in Co. Kilkenny resulted in the death of a man and serious injuries to a teenager.
The 30-year-old man was taken from the scene and transported to St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny, where he was later declared dead.
A female teenager who was in the same vehicle was taken by air ambulance to University Waterford Hospital with serious injuries.
Three people from the second vehicle, including a woman in her 40s and two men in their 40s and 60s, were also taken to St. Luke’s hospital for medical attention.
It is believed that their injuries are non-life threatening.
Local detours are in place after the overnight closure of the road.
Gardaí are also investigating the circumstances of the theft of a vehicle at Green Street, Kilkenny at around 3.30 pm this afternoon.
They are appealing for any witnesses, especially those with dashcam footage, who were travelling on the N77 between Kilkenny town and Ballyragget between 3.15 pm and 4 pm and the Green Street area between 3 pm and 3.30 pm.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kilkenny Garda Station at 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.