Five people killed in a “shocking and devastating” crash in Co Louth, Ireland, have been named and pictured.
Three men and two women were all killed when the VW Golf they were in collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on Saturday evening. The crash took place on the L3168 in Gibstown, Dundalk, shortly after 9pm.
Those who died have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, from Carickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The five victims are believed to have been on their way to Dundalk for a night out, gardai said.
They were named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over the country following the loss of five lives in a road crash in Co Louth.
The Tanaiste 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.”
An Garda Síochána is making the following appeals:
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Alan McCluskey has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Chloe Hipson has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. Her family has been informed.
Dylan Commins has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Shay Duffy has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. His family has been informed.
Chloe McGree has been named as one of the five people who died in the Co Louth crash. Her family has been informed.
A section of the L3168 remains closed between the N52 and the R171, pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. Local traffic diversions remain in place.
Gardai said the sixth occupant of Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, continues to receive medical treatment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for non-life threatening injuries.
The occupants of the Toyota Landcruiser a male and a female in their 20s were also taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Gardai said in a statement this afternoon:
Five young adults, occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, are deceased as a result of this Road Traffic Collision. With the permission of the families An Garda Síochána can confirm the names of the deceased as:
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong issued a statement after the crash saying the loss of life was "shocking and devastating".
He said: "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 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."
Gardai declared a 'major incident response', explaining the five victims were all aged in their 20s and pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators remained at the scene on Sunday.
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. A man and a woman in the second vehicle, a Toyota, were also taken to the same hospital. Their injuries are described as "non-life-threatening".
Gardai are appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night to contact the 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.
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said a "veil of deep sadness" had come over Ireland following the crash.
He 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."
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