Two young men died in a fatal road collision involving four cars on a local road at Killeen, Ballinunty.
Gardai said that shortly before 6pm, they and emergency services responded to a serious collision.
Two young men, aged in their early 20s and late teens, who were occupants of one of the cars, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardai are at the scene of a fatal road collision in Tipperary this Saturday evening
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Sunday, December 14
Two women, both aged in their 20s and travelling in a second car, were taken by ambulance to Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Six other individuals were medically assessed at the scene and did not require immediate hospital treatment.
Investigations are ongoing and gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
Just hours later, a man in his thirties died in a crash in Clonmel, at approximately 1:10am on the Frank Drohan Road (N24).
The collision involved two cars.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his body was taken to University Hospital Waterford where a postmortem will take place.
Clonmel-based Fine Gael councillor John Fitzgerald said it was a “sad incident to happen so close to Christmas”.
“It’s going to bring a lot of sadness to the town of Clonmel, and to a family this Christmas. Our condolences and prayers are with the family.
“We are terribly sorry for the family. Incidents like this are horrific at any time of year, but resonate more at this time of year coming up to Christmas.”
Independent Tipperary county councillor John O’Heney has said the two incidents marked “one of the darkest days in our county in a very long time.”
“The tragic news of three lives lost on Tipperary roads in the space of a few hours, in separate incidents in Ballinulty and Clonmel overnight, has shaken the entire county,” he said in a statement on social media.
“My deepest thoughts and prayers are with those lives lost and all their families and friends at this very difficult time.”
Independent TD for Tipperary South Mattie McGrath said there was “very sad news” in the county on Saturday evening.
“Our thoughts are with all involved and we pray for the deceased, their family and friends and all involved in this tragedy. We wish a full and speedy recovery to those injured.”
“What awful accidents in Ballinunty and Clonmel in the last 24 hours,” independent TD for Tipperary South Seamus Healy.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased, their families and friends and all involved in the tragedies.”
Killenaule GAA said the local community is “heartbroken”, and today’s South Tipperary U21B football final has been postponed out of respect for the families impacted.
“We keep the families, friends and loved ones affected in our thoughts and prayers at this incredibly difficult time,” the club said in a statement.
“In moments like these, our community comes together in times of need, and our club is here to support our players, members and the wider community in any we we can.”
Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses, and are asking any road users travelling in the area between 12:30am and 1:20am, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) to make it available to them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station on 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Including the latest fatalities in Tipperary, the number of road deaths so far this year has reached 174. In the same period last year, 164 people died on Irish roads.