Sister pays tribute to girl (15) who died in Co Tipperary road collision

The sister of a teenage girl who died in a two-car collision in Co Tipperary has paid tribute to her, saying she was her "best friend".

The teenager, named locally as 15-year-old Leah O’Meara, died when the car in which she was a passenger crashed into another car at around 6.45pm on Thursday on the R503 at Rearcross near Nenagh.

Leah was pronounced dead at the scene, while three other people travelling in the car, a man and woman in their 20s and a second teenager, were taken to Limerick University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Leah's older sibling, Katie O'Meara, paid tribute to her "beautiful sister" on social media.

"I love you so much unconditionally baby girl," she said. "I still just can’t believe this is after happening to me — what am I meant to do now, how can I move forward without you."

Katie described Leah as her "whole world and more".

The young woman’s death brings the number of fatalities on Irish roads so far this year to 25. The news of the crash has led to an outpouring of grief online.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station at 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.