Two boys missing from their Carlow home have been found dead in Co. Mayo.

The remains of 10-year-old Eoghan and 5-year-old Ruairi Chada were discovered in Westport this afternoon. It is understood they were found in a car.

A full Garda investigation is underway and the office of the State Pathologist has been called in.

Gardai say the discovery was made shortly before 4pm at Clooneen, Rosbeg in Westport about 4 miles from Westport on the Westport to Louisburgh Road.

The driver of the car has been taken to hospital and he is not thought to be seriously injured.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this collision or anyone who may have observed the dark-green Ford Focus between 6.30pm on Sunday evening and 4pm this afternoon to contact the incident room at Westport Garda Station on 098-50230.

The boys were last seen in the company of their father Sanjeev Chada last night.

Earlier a Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) alert was issued in relation to the two boys. This was the first time the 'Amber Alert'-style system was used here.

They were reported missing at 1.30am on Monday. Mr. Chada left the family home at Ballinkill in Bagnalstown at 6.30pm last night in the company of his two children en-route to the Dome Bowling Centre in Carlow Town and never reestablished contact.

Mr. Chada was driving a green Ford Focus registered number 06-CW-238. These details were used as part of the alert that was issued, with the registration being posted on all NRA signs around the country.

The two boys pictured with their father, Sanjeev