Mother of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan killed in car crash

The mother of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died in a car accident in the Republic of Ireland.

The 59-year-old singer thanked people for their "kind words and condolences" on Wednesday.

Therese MacGowan, 87, was killed in the collision near Silvermines, County Tipperary, at about 3pm on New Year's Day.

Police in Ireland said the car she was driving hit a wall and that they are treating the crash as an accident.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out on Monday.

One Silvermines resident told the Irish Independent: "They were very private people.

"It is a very sad start for all here and Shane's family."

Shane MacGowan was singer for The Pogues from 1982 until the band's break-up in 2014.

The band are arguably best known for their hit Christmas song Fairytale of New York.