Devastating new details after five friends, 20s, die in fireball Louth crash on way to night out & tributes pour

One of the young victims worked as a woodwork and graphics teacher in Dundalk
FIVE young people all under 25 have lost their lives in a “shocking, devastating” head-on crash that has stunned the country.

The three men and two women, including one couple, were killed after the Volkswagen Golf car they were travelling in exploded into flames after colliding with a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV.

They were named by Gardai as as Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, Co Meath; Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, Co Louth and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland.

The devastating crash happened shortly after 9pm on Saturday night on a twisty stretch of road at Gibstown, along the old Ardee Road into Dundalk, Co Louth, in terrible weather conditions.

A sixth person who was in the Golf managed to escape the vehicle, but was last night seriously injured in hospital.

The couple travelling in the Land Cruiser, who are in their 20s, were also both take to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda but do not have life-threatening injuries.

First responders were extremely shocked and horrified by the carnage they witnessed when they arrived at the scene.

By the time they got there all the victims had died.

The six friends had earlier met at Dooley’s Road House and Restaurant, a popular eatery halfway along the main road between Carrickmacross and Ardee — about 22km from the crash scene.

They decided to drive into Dundalk together for a Saturday night out when the collision occurred.

Tragic Chloe McGee worked as a woodwork and graphics teacher in O Fiaich College in Dundalk, Co Louth

The school informed all students and staff of her tragic death on its messaging system today.

It said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that our brilliant young teacher of Woodwork and Graphics, Miss Chloe McGee was killed in a traffic accident.

“Please spare a thought or prayer for Miss McGee’s family and all those affected by last nights crash. RIP.”

A full Garda investigation is now underway into the tragic accident to establish how it happened and why so many died.

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong, Dundalk Garda Station said it was “ a shocking and devastating “ incident and he appealed to any witnesses who may have seen what happened to come forward and for anyone with dashcam footage to make it available.

He said Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and An Garda Siochana will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation.

He stated: “I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the 5 young adults who lost their lives this evening in this Road Traffic Collision.

“Last night members of An Garda Síochána 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.

“Garda Síochána have notified the local Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Pathologist and Post Mortems will be carried out over the coming days.

“An incident room has been established at Dundalk Garda Station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer.”

The scene at the R3168 has been examined by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit, but it was tonight confirmed that local traffic diversions remain in place to facilitate further examinations and searches tomorrow.

Both vehicles were removed from the scene to a secure location shortly after 6pm this evening.

The remains of the five deceased will now be brought to the morgue at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda where post mortems will take place over the coming days.

‘DIFFICULT SCENE’

Supt Armstrong expressed his gratitude to his colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency service who attended the scene.

He added: “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 15th November 2025 to contact the Garda Investigation Team.

“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 Saturday 15th November 2025 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.”

‘NUMBED AND SHOCKED’

The deaths — announced on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims — bring to 158 the number killed on Ireland’s roads so far this year. This compares to 148 at the same point last year.

Another man, aged in his 50s, died in a crash between a motorbike and a car in Co Limerick at around 4pm today.

And Supt Liam Geraghty said: “Events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder to us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second and the tragedy that brings families to communities and to loved ones.

“As we stand here today, 158 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year… that is a slight increase unfortunately on the number that lost their lives on roads in 2024. An Garda Siochana will continue to appeal to everybody to take care on the road.”

The new President Catherine Connolly said she was deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth.

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.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also extended his sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased and said he was “numbed and shocked” at the horrific crash.

He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people. We also think of our first responders who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.”

50 YOUNG PEOPLE KILLED IN 2025 CRASHES

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said he was “shocked and upset to learn of the tragic loss of five young lives”.

He added: “The families and friends of these young people, as well as those injured, are in my thoughts and prayers today.”

The Dundalk Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O’Murchu said his heart goes out to the family and friends impacted by the horrific collision.

He said: “This is the most dreadful and shocking news that has stunned County Louth and the wider area. 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.

“I am also thinking about the emergency services who came to the accident, who helped at the scene, who took away the injured and those who had to call to the five families’ homes in the last few hours to tell them their loved ones had died in this crash.

“I appeal to anyone with information about the crash or dashcam footage to contact the Gardai as soon as possible.

“There are difficult and dark days ahead for the families and friends who 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.”

Road safety campaign group Parc said it is “heartbreaking to see that we have another five people lose their lives on the roads”.

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Chair Susan Gray revealed that 50 of the 157 killed on our roads so far this year are 30 or under.

She added: “Fifty young people have been killed, who should have had their whole lives ahead of them. Now their families will be visiting them in their graves. That is the tragic reality.”

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The school informed all students and staff of her tragic death on its messaging system today.

It said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that our brilliant young teacher of Woodwork and Graphics, Miss Chloe McGee was killed in a traffic accident.

“Please spare a thought or prayer for Miss McGee’s family and all those affected by last nights crash. RIP.”

A full Garda investigation is now underway into the tragic accident to establish how it happened and why so many died.

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong, Dundalk Garda Station said it was “ a shocking and devastating “ incident and he appealed to any witnesses who may have seen what happened to come forward and for anyone with dashcam footage to make it available.

He said Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and An Garda Siochana will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation.

He stated: “I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the 5 young adults who lost their lives this evening in this Road Traffic Collision.

“Last night members of An Garda Síochána 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.

“Garda Síochána have notified the local Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Pathologist and Post Mortems will be carried out over the coming days.

“An incident room has been established at Dundalk Garda Station and an investigation has commenced under a Senior Investigating Officer.”

The scene at the R3168 has been examined by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit, but it was tonight confirmed that local traffic diversions remain in place to facilitate further examinations and searches tomorrow.

Both vehicles were removed from the scene to a secure location shortly after 6pm this evening.

The remains of the five deceased will now be brought to the morgue at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda where post mortems will take place over the coming days.

‘DIFFICULT SCENE’

Supt Armstrong expressed his gratitude to his colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the other emergency service who attended the scene.

He added: “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 15th November 2025 to contact the Garda Investigation Team.

“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 Saturday 15th November 2025 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.”

‘NUMBED AND SHOCKED’

The deaths — announced on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims — bring to 158 the number killed on Ireland’s roads so far this year. This compares to 148 at the same point last year.

Another man, aged in his 50s, died in a crash between a motorbike and a car in Co Limerick at around 4pm today.

And Supt Liam Geraghty said: “Events that occurred here last night again are a very, very clear reminder to us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second and the tragedy that brings families to communities and to loved ones.

“As we stand here today, 158 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year… that is a slight increase unfortunately on the number that lost their lives on roads in 2024. An Garda Siochana will continue to appeal to everybody to take care on the road.”

The new President Catherine Connolly said she was deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth.

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.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also extended his sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased and said he was “numbed and shocked” at the horrific crash.

He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people. We also think of our first responders who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.”

50 YOUNG PEOPLE KILLED IN 2025 CRASHES

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said he was “shocked and upset to learn of the tragic loss of five young lives”.

He added: “The families and friends of these young people, as well as those injured, are in my thoughts and prayers today.”

The Dundalk Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O’Murchu said his heart goes out to the family and friends impacted by the horrific collision.

He said: “This is the most dreadful and shocking news that has stunned County Louth and the wider area. 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.

“I am also thinking about the emergency services who came to the accident, who helped at the scene, who took away the injured and those who had to call to the five families’ homes in the last few hours to tell them their loved ones had died in this crash.

“I appeal to anyone with information about the crash or dashcam footage to contact the Gardai as soon as possible.

“There are difficult and dark days ahead for the families and friends who 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.”

Road safety campaign group Parc said it is “heartbreaking to see that we have another five people lose their lives on the roads”.

Chair Susan Gray revealed that 50 of the 157 killed on our roads so far this year are 30 or under.

She added: “Fifty young people have been killed, who should have had their whole lives ahead of them. Now their families will be visiting them in their graves. That is the tragic reality.”