To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Five people in their early twenties were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Ireland on Saturday night.
The incident happened just after 9pm at Gibstown, Co Louth, and involved a Volkswagen Golf.
It is thought the group were on their way to socialise in Dundalk, a town close to the border with Northern Ireland.
Three other people, one of whom is also in his early 20s, were injured in what Irish police described as a ‘shocking and devastating’ crash.
Three men and two women died at the scene, while three others were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment.
A major incident response was initiated last night by gardai and emergency services who attended the scene.
Supt Charlie Armstrong said, near the scene: ‘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.
‘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.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: ‘I am numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash that has led to the loss of five young lives in Dundalk, Co Louth.
‘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.’
Tanaiste Simon 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 Co 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.’
Supt Liam Geraghty pointed out how they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
He said: ‘The events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder for us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second, and the tragedy that that brings to families, to communities and to loved ones.
‘As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year in 2025. That is a slight increase, unfortunately, in the number who lost their lives on roads in 2024.’
The scene on the L3168 will remain closed today as gardai carry out technical and forensic examinations.
Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.