'Shocking and devastating' - Five young people killed in horror road crash in County Louth

Gardai investigating a horror road crash in County Louth have confirmed that five young people died while three others were injured.

The three men and two women who died were all under the age of 25. They were travelling in a Volkswagen Golf car which collided with a Toyota Landcruiser on the Ardee road at Gibstown, just outside Dundalk at around 9pm on Saturday.

One of three people who was injured was also travelling in the Golf while the other two were travelling in the Landcruiser. None of those injured sustained life-threatening injuries.

A major investigation is underway and the scene of the fatal collision, one of the worst for some time, remains sealed off pending forensic and technical examinations.

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Speaking to reporters close to the scene this Sunday morning, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk garda station praised the professionalism of first responders given the difficult weather conditions at the time.

"Last night members of An Garda Síochána 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 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 over the coming days," he said.

An incident room has been established at Dundalk garda station and an investigation has commenced under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer. 

"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 five deceased was exemplary," said Supt Armstrong.

"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," he added.

Any witnesses or road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and who were traveling on the L3168, Ardee Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Dundalk garda station can be contacted on 042 938 8400.