Two men who died in a road accident in Co Armagh were a father and son.
They were the victims of another Christmas tragedy on Northern Ireland’s roads.
A baby was also among four injured, police said. One woman is currently critically ill in hospital.
Local councillors said there is shock in the area, with one describing it as an “unimaginable tragedy”.
The two-vehicle accident happened on the Killylea Road, near the area the Devlin men were from, shortly before 1pm yesterday.
It brings to eight the number of people killed on Northern Ireland’s roads in nine days around Christmas.
So far this year 69 people have lost their lives on our roads.
Yesterday’s accident happened close to a bend in the road, about six miles from Armagh city on the road from Caledon.
Inspector Cherith Adair said: “Police received a report shortly before 12:45pm yesterday of a collision involving a dark grey Audi and a black Mercedes.
“Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services. Both men died at the scene. Four others, including a baby, were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
“One of the women sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition at this time.”
Flowers have been left at the scene as local people spoke of their shock.
Flowers left at the scene of the Killylea Road crash. Credit: BBC News NI
Sarah Duffy, the Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council, said it was a “very sad time” for the community.
“This Christmas season, which is meant to bring families together in joy and celebration, has been overshadowed by an unimaginable tragedy in our community,” she said.
“Today, we mourn the heartbreaking loss of lives due to a devastating road traffic collision.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who are facing this pain, especially at this time of year. We cannot begin to comprehend the depth of their loss, and we stand with them in their grief.
“I want to thank the emergency services, who responded swiftly and with immense professionalism under these difficult circumstances.”
She added: “As a community, we will come together to support those affected in the very sad times ahead”.
SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said: “My thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the road traffic accident on the Killylea Road, Armagh yesterday.
“Unfortunately lives have been lost and some remain critically ill in hospital. It’s just terrible for those involved and we keep those hurt and those mourning in our prayers.”
Fire crews and the NI Ambulance Service were sent to the scene.
One local said: “A large number of emergency vehicles responded to the accident.
“Everybody’s prayers are with those involved. There is a lot of shock at what has happened.”
Traffic was diverted through Killylea village after the incident.
Emergency services attended the scene of yesterday’s crash. File photo.
It follows a dark period on Northern Ireland’s roads.
On Christmas Eve, John Hanna (34) died after a single-vehicle crash on the Downpatrick Road in Ballynahinch, Co Down.
The previous night, December 23, Amy Stokes died in a single-vehicle accident near Derrylin in Fermanagh.
The 20-year-old, from the Ballyconnell area of Co Cavan, had been married just three months earlier and recently discovered she was to become a mum.
Earlier that day, a lorry driver in his 40s died in a crash in the Moylagh Road area of Beragh, Co Tyrone.
Two more people died on December 20.
A man in his 70s was killed when a Porsche Cayenne collided with a lorry in Ballynure, Co Antrim.
And pedestrian Edmund ‘Ned’ Hughes died in hospital after an incident involving a vehicle in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
On December 19, a man named locally as Garrick Wood died following a collision near Victoria Bridge, Co Tyrone.
The latest tragedy follows several other bad accidents on Armagh’s roads in the last 14 months.
Earlier this year, four young people died after a crash on the Ballynahonemore Road.
The victims were Marina Crilly, Phil Mitchell, Emma Mallon and Keith Morrison.
And in November last year, three people were killed in a crash close to Markethill.
Ciera Grimley, her husband Patrick and their friend Ciara McIlvenna died following the four-car collision on the Gosford Road.
More to follow