Two leading Northern Ireland motorcyclists have died after a pile-up in a road race meeting in the Irish Republic.

Andrew McClean and Gary Dynes were among five riders injured in the crash during the opening lap of the 250cc race at Glaslough, County Monaghan on Sunday.

The deaths come six weeks after Ulster motorcycling hero Joey Dunlop was killed in road race in Estonia.

Mr McClean, a rider from Coleraine in County Londonderry, had been leading the race before the pile-up.

He was taken to Middleton Army base and airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he died.

Race abandoned

Mr Dynes, who was from Moira, County Down, was operated on at Craigavon Area Hospital, County Armagh, but also did not survive his injuries.

Denis McCullough, from Dromara, in County Down, was treated for leg and chest injuries.

His condition was described as "comfortable".

Two other riders Darren Lindsay from Lisburn, County Antrim, and Stephen Thompson from Newtownards, County Down, were also involved in the crash, but neither were hurt.

The race meeting was abandoned.