Five young people have been killed in a devastating two-vehicle crash in County Louth, Ireland, Irish police confirmed on Sunday. All victims were traveling together in a Volkswagen Golf when it collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on Saturday night.
The deceased have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross in County Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath in County Meath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee in County Louth; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland. All were in their early 20s and believed to be heading to Dundalk for a night out when the crash occurred.
A sixth passenger from the Golf remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Two occupants of the Land Cruiser, a man and a woman, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving treatment at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Investigation underway
The crash happened on the L3168 at Gibstown, just outside Dundalk, shortly after 9pm on Saturday. The road remains closed as forensic collision investigators conduct technical examinations of the scene.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong described the incident as a «shocking, devastating event» for the families and communities affected. Speaking near the scene on Sunday, he said: «This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.»
He praised the professionalism of first responders who worked in «very difficult, in adverse weather conditions.» The scene required a major incident response involving An Garda Síochána, Dundalk Fire Brigade, HSE paramedics and hospital staff.
National mourning
Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was «numbed and shocked» by the news. Tánaiste Simon Harris described a «veil of deep sadness and shock» falling over the country, adding: «One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances in which they found themselves working last night as they set about trying to help in the most harrowing of situations.»
The tragedy occurred on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Superintendent Liam Geraghty noted that 157 people have died on Irish roads this year, a slight increase on 2024.
Police are appealing for anyone who was on the L3168 between 8:30pm and 9:15pm on Saturday, or who has camera footage from the area, to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400 or the confidential line on 1800 666 111.
Family liaison officers have been appointed to support each of the bereaved families. Post-mortem examinations will be carried out in the coming days.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
