All the deceased were aged in their early 20s.

They were Chloe McGee (23) and Shay Duffy (21) from Carrickmacross, Monaghan; Alan McCluskey (23) from Drumconrath, Meath; Dylan Commins (23) from Ardee, Louth and Chloe Hipson (21) from Lanarkshire, Scotland.

It is understood that the group of youngsters were travelling to the Dundalk area to socialise when the collision occurred.

The five deceased were all travelling in the same car, a Volkswagen Golf, when they collided with another vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, on the L3168 in the townland of Gibstown, Dundalk last night, Saturday November 15, shortly after 9pm.

Another man in his 20s was traveling in the same car as the deceased and is being treated in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for serious non-life threatening injuries.

The two occupants of the second vehicle, a man and a woman both in their 20s, were also taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

In a statement, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said: "I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the other emergency service who attended the scene last night. 

"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 5 deceased was exemplary.

"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. 

"This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk."

The scene remains closed today and a technical and forensic examination is being carried out by An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision investigators.

An Garda Síochána have notified the local Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Pathologist and post mortems will be carried out in due course.

Furthermore, an incident room has been established at Dundalk Garda Station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer. 

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong appealed to anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station. 

"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 Saturday 15th November 2025 to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station."

He ended his statement urging the public to respect the privacy of the families involved.

President Catherine Connolly released a statement saying she was 'deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth last night'.

“I am thinking of them, their families and of those injured.

“May I acknowledge also all those first responders who have worked to support all involved.”

On X, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash'.

”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.”

Speaking to BBC News NI, Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane McGuinness said he lives close to the scene of the accident.

"It is a very dangerous stretch of road, with bad bends and no public lighting.

"The weather was very bad last night.

"This is a real tragedy and I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," he explained.