Three men and two women died in a “shocking” and “devastating” road crash involving two cars in Co Louth on Saturday night, Irish police said.
The victims were Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath in Co Meath; and Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee in Co Louth, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.
The collision happened on the L3168 in Gibstown, Dundalk, shortly after 9pm.
The five were travelling together in a Volkswagen Golf while on their way to Dundalk for a night out, police believe.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Another man, also in his 20s, was “removed” from the car and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was treated for “serious non-life-threatening injuries”, said Superintendent Charlie Armstrong.
The Golf was in a collision with a Toyota Land Cruiser.
A man and a woman in the second vehicle were also taken to the same hospital.
Their injuries are described as “non-life-threatening”.
Praise for emergency response
Superintendent Armstrong said an investigation into the road crash was under way, as he praised the emergency services.
He said: “The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the five deceased was exemplary.”
“This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk,” he added.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong speaking to the media. Pic: PA
He also said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families and police will keep them updated.
‘Veil of deep sadness’
Ireland’s prime minister Micheal Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” at the news, while his deputy, Simon Harris, said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over the country.
Mr Martin said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people, and those injured.
“We also think of our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.”
Mr Harris said of the emergency services: “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.”
Read more from Sky News:
Temperatures could fall to -7C in cold snap
Thousands march in Gen Z protests in Mexico
Superintendent Armstrong urged anyone with information about the collision to contact the investigation team.
He said: “I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team.
“I am appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.”
The L3168 was closed between the N52 and the R171 as forensic experts investigated, and traffic diversions were in place.
Five young adults dead after car crash
