LAST UPDATE | 16 Nov 2025

TRIBUTES HAVE POURED in for the five young people killed in a crash near Dundalk, Co Louth yesterday evening.

Three men and two women, all in their early 20s, died when a Volkswagen Golf collided with a Toyota Landcruiser shortly after 9pm on the L3168 south of Dundalk.

All five of the deceased were travelling in the Volkswagen Golf.

A sixth young person was also travelling in the Golf, and was injured in the collision. Two people in the Toyota Landcruiser were also injured in the crash.

The three injured were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

With permission from their families, Gardaí have named the five young people as:

• Chloe McGee, aged 23, from Carrickmacross
• Alan McCluskey, aged 23, from Drumconrath
• Dylan Commins, aged 23, from Ardee
• Shay Duffy, aged 21, from Carrickmacross
• Chloe Hipson, aged 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland

The three injured people remain in hospital for treatment of injuries understood not to be life threatening. 

President Catherine Connolly was among those to pay tribute to the crash victims today.

“I am deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth last night,” Connolly said.

“I am thinking of them, their families and of those injured. May I acknowledge also all those first responders who have worked to support all involved.”

In Armagh’s St Patrick’s Cathedral this evening, Archbishop Eamon Martin prayed for the five victims and those injured.

Tánaiste Simon Harris described a “veil of deep sadness and shock” across the country.

“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 now and in the time ahead. I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services,” Harris added.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” by the crash.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people, and those injured. We also think of our fist responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.”

Dundalk garda Superintendent Charlie Armstrong praised the emergency services response to the crash, and paid tribute to the victims in a statement this morning.

“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 deceased was exemplary.,” Armstrong said.

“This tragedy will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Drumconrath and Scotland.”

Louth tributes

Local politicians have also offered condolences.

Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, from Dundalk, described the crash as “horrific” and called for anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Gardaí.

“It is heartbreaking, awful and tragic for the loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and for those who have been taken to hospital,” Ó Murchú said.

“There are difficult and dark days ahead for the families and friends who have lost loved ones but I know that the whole of Louth will carry them and support them in every way possible as they face this unimaginable tragedy.”

Labour TD Ged Nash labelled the crash an “unspeakable tragedy”.

“Our thoughts are with the families in Drumconrath, Carrickmacross and Scotland, and with the courageous emergency services personnel who responded with dignity and professionalism,” Nash said.