Gardaí appeal for footage after fatal Dundalk crash kills five friends
The victims have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, Alan McCluskey, 23 , Drumconrath, Dylan Commins, 23, Ardee, Shay Duffy, 21, Carrickmacross and Chloe Hipson, 21, Lanarkshire, Scotland
News of another tragedy on the roads, this time killing five friends on their way to a night out, broke as families were gathering to remember their loved ones on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The five, who were in their early 20s, were killed in a crash between a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser near Dundalk just after 9pm on Saturday.
The five people who died were in the Volkswagen Golf and are believed to have been on their way to socialise in Dundalk, gardaí said.
The deceased victims have been named as Chloe McGee, 23, from Carickmacross; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee; Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross; and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Two other people, a man and woman travelling in the other vehicle, were taken for treatment to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Near the scene yesterday, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said: “This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Drumconrath and in Scotland [where one of the victims is from].”
The scene on the L3168 remained closed throughout yesterday as gardaí carried out a technical and forensic examination.
Supt Armstrong added: “I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána 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 is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.”
Autopsies will be carried out, and gardaí have appealed for anyone with information on the crash to contact them at Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400.
“I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team,” said the superintendent.
“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 to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station.”
He said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and An Garda Síochána will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty said it was particularly stark that they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
“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,” he said.
“As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year in 2025.”
That is 10 more than to the same point in 2024.
Taoiseach Micheál 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.”
President Catherine Connolly said she was “deeply saddened and shocked” at the loss of five young lives.
She 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.”
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