A 23-year-old woman was celebrating landing her dream job with her friends when all five were killed in a car crash in Ireland.
The fatal collision happened on the L3168 at Gibstown, Co Louth, shortly after 9pm on Saturday.
The youths who died have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, and Dillon Commins, 23, both from Drumconrath, and 21-year-old Chloe Hipson from Lanarkshire in Scotland.
The five young adults were in a Volkswagen Golf involved in the collision with a Toyota Landcruiser near Dundalk.
They are believed to have been on their way to Dundalk for a night-out, Irish police said.
A sixth person who was in the car, also aged in his 20s, continues to receive medical treatment in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Ms McGee had just secured her dream job – a permanent teaching position teaching at the Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education in Dundalk.
She had been ‘celebrating’ her new role, which was a ‘big thing’ for her, Padraig McGovern, the Ó Fiaich principal, told Morning Ireland.
‘I was speaking with Chloe on Friday and she was full of fun.
Chloe McGee, 23, from from Carrickmacross, also lost her life in the two-vehicle crash
Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland, died in the fatal collision
Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, was one of three young men to die in the accident
‘She was full of achievement and success and looking forward to the weekend and within 24 hours that changed, changed drastically.’
The 23-year-old had been working as a woodwork and graphics teacher in Dundalk.
Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris said a ‘veil of deep sadness’ has come over the country, while Irish police described the incident as ‘shocking and devastating’.
President Catherine Connolly added: ‘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.’
The three young males and two females tragically died at the scene of the crash.
A man and woman from the other vehicle were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment.
Speaking near the scene on Sunday, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said: ‘Yesterday evening, just after 9pm, there was a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Landcruiser.
‘Five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three males and two females, all in their early 20s, are deceased at the scene.’
He said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families and gardai will keep them updated.
Mr Armstrong said: ‘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.
Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross, also lost his life in the tragedy last night
Dillon Commins, 23, from Drumconrath, died in the fatal incident yesterday
Irish police at the scene on the L3168 just outside Dundalk, Co Louth, where three men and two women aged in their 20s have died following a road traffic collision
‘Last night members of An Garda Siochana, 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 Siochana forensic collision investigators.’
He said post-mortem examinations would be carried out.
Mr Armstrong added: ‘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.
‘This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.
‘I want to take the opportunity to appeal to any person with any information on this road traffic collision to contact the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
‘I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team.
Three males and two females, all in their early 20s, tragically died at the scene of the crash
An investigation has been launched into the accident on the L3168 at Gibstown, Co Louth
‘I am appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.
‘The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda station on 042 9388400, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.’
He added: ‘Finally, I once again want to express my sympathies to the families of the five young people who lost their lives yesterday evening.’
Tanaiste Mr 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 County 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.’
