Five dead following two-vehicle crash in County Louth

Five people have died and three others have been injured in a road accident in Dundalk, County Louth.

Gardaí (Irish police) said the three men and two women who died were all under the age of 25 and were traveling in a car which collided with another vehicle on Ardee Road in Gibbstown just after 21:00 local time on Saturday.

It is understood that the deceased may have been traveling to some place to socialize at the time of the accident.

Gardaí said on Sunday morning that “the vehicles and bodies of the deceased are all at the scene”.

Speaking at the scene, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said gardaí were investigating the full circumstances of the crash.

He added: “A serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser, occurred just after 21:00 yesterday evening.

“The five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three men and two women, all aged in their 20s, died at the scene.

Superintendent Armstrong said another passenger in the Volkswagen Golf, aged around 20, was airlifted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to be treated for serious non-life-threatening injuries.

“The two occupants of the other vehicle, a man and a woman, were also taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.”

Superintendent Armstrong appealed for privacy for the victims’ families.

“This tragedy which has resulted in the deaths of five young adults will have a profound impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and across Scotland,” he said.

“This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community in Dundalk.”

He also praised his Garda colleagues and other emergency services who attended the scene last night.

Superintendent Armstrong said, “The scene was extremely difficult in the adverse weather conditions and the professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown towards the five deceased was exemplary.”

Fianna Fáil councilor Shane McGuinness said he lived close to the crash site.

“It’s a very dangerous stretch of road, with bad bends and no public lighting,” he told BBC News NI.

“The weather was very bad last night.

“This is a real tragedy and I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” ​​he said.

Gardai said the road is closed between the N52 and R171 pending a technical investigation by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Local traffic changes are in effect.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and appalled by the horrific road accident”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with these young people and the families and friends of those injured.

“We also think about our first responders, who acted so professionally under truly devastating circumstances.”