Nation Mourns After Five Young Lives Lost in Co Louth Collision
The communities of Carrickmacross, Drumconrath, and Lanarkshire are united in grief after the identities of the five young people who died in a horrific two-vehicle crash in County Louth were released. The incident, described by Irish police as "shocking and devastating," occurred on the L3168 road near Dundalk on Saturday night, just after 9pm.
The victims have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, 23, and Dillon Commins, 23, both from Drumconrath in Co Meath; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland. It is believed they were travelling together in a Volkswagen Golf on their way to Dundalk for a night out.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
The collision involved the Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser. Superintendent Charlie Armstrong confirmed that all five occupants of the Golf, three males and two females in their early 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene. A major incident response was immediately initiated, involving Gardaí, Dundalk Fire Brigade, and HSE paramedics who worked in adverse weather conditions.
A sixth person in the Golf, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Two other people, a man and a woman from the Toyota Land Cruiser, were also transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
The L3168 at Gibstown remained closed on Sunday as Garda forensic teams conducted a detailed technical examination of the scene. Post-mortem examinations are scheduled to take place in the coming days. Family liaison officers have been appointed to support the bereaved families.
National Outpouring of Grief and Sympathy
The tragedy has sent a wave of shock across Ireland and beyond. Ireland's premier, Micheál Martin, said he was "numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash," while deputy premier Simon Harris spoke of a "veil of deep sadness" coming over the country.
Superintendent Armstrong expressed his condolences, stating: "This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Drumconrath and in Scotland." He also paid tribute to the first responders for their professionalism and the care shown at the difficult scene.
The sombre news was delivered on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a fact Superintendent Liam Geraghty noted was particularly stark. He revealed that 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far in 2025, a slight increase on the same period in 2024.
Appeal for Information from the Public
An official investigation into the crash is underway. Gardaí are urgently appealing to the public for assistance. They are asking anyone who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025, to come forward.
Investigators are also keen to obtain any camera footage or images from the Gibstown area during that time window. Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
