The Republic of Ireland is reeling from a tragic car accident that took place in Co Louth on Saturday night, leaving the community in shock.
In a devastating two-car collision on the L3168 in Gibstown near Dundalk, Co. Louth, five individuals lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries. The incident involved a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Landcruiser.
Reports suggest that the Golf was carrying six passengers, with five of them tragically perishing at the scene. The deceased, three men and two women in their twenties, were identified as residents of Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan, Drumconrath in Co Meath, and one woman from Scotland.
The group, reportedly heading to a social gathering, met with the tragedy on their journey. One man from the Golf was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda with severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
Additionally, two individuals from the Toyota Landcruiser were also taken to the same hospital with injuries deemed non-life threatening. The road remains closed as Garda forensic collision investigators assess the scene.
The victims have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee in Co Louth; Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station expressed condolences to the families and praised the emergency services’ swift response. An incident room has been set up, and an investigation is underway under a Senior Investigating Officer.
Armstrong urged anyone with information regarding the collision to contact Dundalk Garda Station and appealed for witnesses or anyone with camera footage of the area to come forward. He reiterated sympathies to the families affected by the tragic loss of the young adults.