A serious two-car collision on the Athy to Stradbally road has left a 19-year-old in a critical condition in Portlaoise Hospital.
A 16-year-old girl, who was a passenger in the car, was also injured and taken to the hospital where her condition is said to be stable.
The male driver of the second car was not hurt in the incident which happened at the Ballyknocken cross at around 10.30pm last night.
A technical examination of the scene is underway and the road remains closed.
