A 29-year-old Co Monaghan publican, who was the driver of a car involved a collision near Carrickmacross last December in which three people died,

has admitted to a charge of dangerous driving causing death. Kevin McArdle was subsequently remanded for sentencing.

Mr  McArdle (29),  of Longfield, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan was charged with dangerous driving causing death and driving with excess alcohol.

He was the driver of a silver BMW involved in the horror smash on the Carrickmacross bypass at Monaltybane, on December 27.

Mr McArdle had sustained a broken leg and pelvis in the smash. A 38 year-old pregnant woman was among those killed

Roisin Connolly of Grace Park, Drumcondra, Dublin, was driving on the Carrickmacross by-pass with her husband Stephen on 27 December 2010 when their Seat car was struck in heavy rain by a BMW being driven by McArdle.

Mrs Connolly, who was five months pregnant, was killed. Medical staff would later unsuccessfully try to save her unborn child. Her husband survived with injuries.

Two passengers in the BMW, Glen Curtis and Paul Carroll, were also killed, while another man in that car was seriously injured but survived.

At Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court today, McArdle pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death, with further charges of drunk driving and driving without insurance adjourned.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a hearing in October