Three men and two women in their 20s have died in a "devastating" two-car road crash in Co Louth, Irish police said.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong, from Dundalk garda station, said all five young people who died at the scene in a road crash in Co Louth were travelling in the same car, a Volkswagen Golf, three other people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said a "veil of deep sadness" had come over the country following the crash on the L3168 just outside Dundalk.
Superintendent Armstrong: "I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency services 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 five deceased was exemplary.
"This tragedy, with the loss of 5 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."
One occupant of the Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, was removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment of serious non-life-threatening injuries. A man and a woman in the second car, a Toyota Land Cruiser, have been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
He added: "I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this road traffic collision.
"Last night members of An Garda Siochana, supported by other emergency services including Dundalk Fire Brigade, HSE paramedics and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, initiated a major incident response."The scene here on the L3168, Gibstown, remains closed today and a technical and forensic examination is being carried out by An Garda Siochana forensic collision investigators."
An incident room has been established at Dundalk Garda Station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer., reports the Irish Mirror.
Tanaiste Mr Harris said: "A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning with the news emerging of the devastating loss of five young lives overnight in a road traffic accident in County Louth. This morning, my thoughts, and I know the thoughts of people right across our country, are with the families of those who have lost loved ones, their friends, and their communities."We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and in the time ahead. I also want to pay tribute to 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."
Garda are appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team.
The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda station on 042 9388400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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