CO LOUTH, Ireland - A major Garda investigation is continuing after five young adults were killed in a two-vehicle collision near Dundalk, Co. Louth on Saturday night.

The crash happened just after 9pm Saturday night on the L3168 at Gibstown and involved a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Landcruiser. Gardaí confirmed that five of the six people travelling in the Golf — 3 men and two women, all in their early 20s — were pronounced dead at the scene.

An Garda Síochána on Sunday confirmed the names of thsoe killed. They were:

Chloe McGee, age 23 years, of Carickmacross
Alan McCluskey, age 23 years, Dof rumconrath
Dylan Commins, age 23 years, of Ardee
Shay Duffy, age 21 years, of Carrickmacross
Chloe Hipson, age 21 years, of Lanarkshire, Scotland

A sixth occupant of the Golf, a man in his 20s, continues to receive treatment at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The two people travelling in the Landcruiser, a man and a woman, were also brought to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin posted a message on X saying he was "numbed and shocked" at the news of the "horrific" crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people," he said.

"We also think of our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances." 

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station said Sunday, family liaison officers had been appointed and that Gardaí "will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation." He extended his condolences to the families of the five victims, calling the incident "a shocking, devastating event" that will deeply affect communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and Scotland.

Emergency services, including Dundalk Fire Brigade and HSE paramedics, responded to what Superintendent Armstrong described as a "major incident response" in difficult weather conditions. He praised the professionalism of all first responders and the "care and respect shown to the five deceased."

The road remained closed Sunday as forensic collision investigators examined the scene. The local Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified, and post-mortems will take place in the coming days.

An incident room has been set up at Dundalk Garda Station, and the investigation is being led by a senior investigating officer.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, in particular anyone who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday, or who may have camera or dash-cam footage from the area. Information can be provided to Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Superintendent Armstrong asked for privacy for the grieving families as the investigation continues.

(File photo).