A teenage Dublin dad who was tragically killed in an early morning car crash on Saturday morning has been named locally as Gerard Prentice.
The incident took place on the N7 Naas Road, Clondalkin at around 12:30am when the car he was driving collided with a van on the westbound lanes of the dual carriage way.
The 17-year-old, who was the driver and sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was removed to the mortuary at Tallaght Hospital a short time after.
The occupants of the van - two men, aged 45 and 36, and a boy, 9 - were also taken to Tallaght Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Tributes have been flooding in for Gerard following the heartbreaking news of the crash.
One friend said: "Thinking of your family at this sad time. Rest in peace Gerard such sad news taken away to soon. Only seventeen, you had your whole life ahead of you. Such a lovely person, you will be missed by so many sleep tight."
Another said: "Horrible news rest in peace Gerard, thinking of the Prentice family."
A third added: "It just doesn't feel real Gerard. You're gone just like that bro, I don't know what I'm going to do without you. It's killing me that you are gone. The pain and hurt is unexplainable. I am broken brother may you get the best bed soldier until we meet again my man, love you to bits."
Tallaght's Thomas Davis GAA club added: "We are very saddened to hear of the death of one of our former juvenile players Ger Prentice (U16 2018). Our thoughts are with Ger's family and friends during this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
A death notice for Gerard reads: "Late of Rossfield, Tallaght and Kilkenny.
"Dearly loved son of Elaine and Jerry. Loving dad of Carson and partner of Jade.
"Brother of Nadine, Faith and the late Nathan. Sadly missed by his baby son, Mam, Dad, grandparents, sisters, foster parents Jim and Ann, niece Savannah, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends.
"Reposing at his Nanny's house on Thursday afternoon (30th January). Removal on Friday morning to St. Aidan's Church, Brookfield, Tallaght, arriving for 11 o'clock Mass. Funeral afterwards to Newlands Cross Cemetery."
