Devastating tributes and details about the group of friends, who all had impressive careers and studies, are pouring in
DEVASTATED locals have told of their “severe” grief after five young people were killed in a horror crash – including one young woman who was celebrating landing a dream job.
Shock is rippling through the close-knit communities of the two women and three men, all in their 20s, who died in the collision on Saturday night Gibstown, along the old Ardee Road into Dundalk, Co Louth.
Gardai yesterday named the victims 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.
All five friends were travelling together in a Volkswagen Golf when the two-car collision occurred on the winding stretch of road amid terrible weather conditions.
A sixth person travelling in the Golf escaped the vehicle, but is being treated for serious, but non life-threatening injuries in hospital.
A couple travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, also involved in the collision, were also both taken to hospital but their injuries are not life-threatening.
The group of friends had met at Dooley’s Road House and Restaurant, about 22km from the crash scene, and later decided to drive to Dundalk for a Saturday night out.
And tragic new details emerging today reveal woodwork and graphics teacher Chloe McGee was celebrating landing her dream job at the time of the crash.
The 23-year-old had secured a permanent teaching position at Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education in Dundalk on Friday, where she had been working for three years.
Speaking to BBC’s Radio Ulster this morning Principal Padraig McGovern said the Monaghan woman was “looking forward to the weekend” before tragedy struck.
Principal McGovern said: “I was speaking with Chloe on Friday. She was full of fun and she was full of achievement and success and looking forward to the weekend and that within 24 hours changed, changed drastically.”
He added: “Chloe had got a permanent job and she was celebrating that,” he lamented. She loved her job. Chloe was three years with us and she had got her permanent contract and that was a big thing for Chloe.”
The principal of paid tributes to the young teacher who was “part of the fabric” of the co-educational school in Dundalk.
Mr McGovern told the Good Morning Ulster programme: “She was very keen on her job. She was very much a part, she became very much a part of the fabric of our school.”
“And, both students and staff, she loved to help her students, loved to go the extra mile, was very good at her subject, and was also the sort of girl that was involved in everything. Anything that we were looking at to develop she was there and willing to take part.”
He added: “To think we’re going into school today and she won’t be there is an incredible shock.”
Similar tributes have poured in for Chloe’s friends, who also lost their lives when their car exploded into flames following the collision with the Land Cruiser.
Drumconrath parish priest Finnian Connaughton led today’s tributes to local lad Alan McCluskey and told Morning Ireland he was on “the verge” of setting up his own business.
Remembering Alan the priest explained: “Alan was one of those lads that was very much, very well got in the area. Lovely young fella, going about his business.
“Extremely hard-working chap, worked with his dad with the fencing business, but he was more than anxious to head his own business and looked like a man that was on the verge of doing precisely that.”
GRIEF ‘BEYOND DESCRIPTION’
Fr Connaughton, a family friend of the McCluskey family, headed two prayer services to the victims in Drumconrath yesterday and remembered 23-year-old Alan as a regular church-goer.
He told RTE: “Very regular attender at church it would have to be said. Alan and his family very much involved here in the parish, so it was devastation to hear that news.”
Further addressing shock in the “close-knit” area the priest added: “We are, as a community, grieving so severely.
“Our community here absolutely, it’s beyond description the sense of grief that’s around.”
The local man added: “The McCluskeys are very community minded people. There are very few things going in the community centre that the McCluskeys are not involved in. I know the community will rally round at this time.”
HARD-WORKING YOUNG MAN
The late 23-year-old Dylan Commins, who ran his own successful business, has been remembered as an “upcoming legend” and a hard-worker.
CC Styling & Performance in Carrickmacross led tributes saying: “Life can be cruel and that’s out of everyone’s control. Dylan did jobs for us and went out of his way. Dylan did his own thing which was his business he built from scratch.”
They said in an emotional statement: “He ran a recovery service where he helped people say and might that had breakdowns or needed cars transported from here to there. And if you called him he would pick the phone up and drive to Cork or Derry and not just for the money but just to leave a satisfied customer or friend.
“Dylan was an upcoming legend, that will now forever be in people’s memories and inspire people.
“Dylan worked day and night for his company travelling the length of the country to give the best service he could, us here at CC Styling would like to thank you for the work you served and the legacy you will forever leave.”
MINUTE OF SILENCE
Tributes have also been paid from across the water to Scottish 21-year-old Chloe Hipson who was a second year Quantity Surveying student Dundalk IT.
A minute of silence will be held in the young woman’s honour by Scottish Club North Motherwell FC, where her brother is a key player.
Bellshill Amateurs FC said: “The club was devastated today to learn of the passing of Chloe Hipson, the younger sister of our own Ryan Hipson.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Ryan and his family at this incredibly difficult time.
“Before our game on Saturday, we will show our respects to Chloe with a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.”
Dundalk IT also paid tribute to the Lanarkshire native and revealed a book of condolences had been set up on the campus for young Chloe.
‘VERY CHALLANGING TIME’
President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, Diarmuid O’Callaghan, also remembered 21-year-old victim Shay Duffy.
The Carrickmacross man had recently completed part of his plumbing apprenticeship at the IT.
Diarmuid O’Callaghan said: “Many of those involved in this tragedy have deep ties to the DkIT community.
“We remember Chloe Hipson, a 2nd year Quantity Surveying student, who joined DkIT in September of this year from Lanarkshire in Scotland.
“We also remember former student Shay Duffy, who recently completed phase 6 of his Plumbing Apprenticeship with us.”
“Condolences also to our colleagues in O’Fiaich College on the loss of Chloe McGee who worked closely with the DkIT team on the TY Entrepreneurship Programme.
“Our thoughts are with their families and friends and also the families and friends of Alan McCluskey and Dylan Commins during this very difficult time.”
The IT president added: “Supports have been put in place to help our students and staff navigate this very challenging time.
“A book of condolences for Chloe Hipson has been set up in the college and will be available for signing outside the Engineering Office at the Hoey’s Lane Entrance.”
GARDA PROBE
The road where the collision occurred remains closed today as Gardai continue to probe the devastating scene.
Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit completed a technical examination of the scene yesterday and both vehicles involved removed shortly after 6pm.
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.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station said yesterday it was “a shocking and devastating” incident and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
He said: “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.”
