'Dark days ahead' - Tributes pour in for five young people killed in tragic Louth crash

Tributes are pouring in for the five young people who tragically lost their lives in the crash in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said his heart goes out to the families and friends impacted by the horrific crash at Gibstown last night.

The Sinn Féin deputy 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 that their loved one had died in this crash.

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

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

The three men and two women who died were all under the age of 25 and were from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan and Drumconrath in Co Meath, with one of the women from Scotland.

They were travelling in a Volkswagen Golf car which collided with a Toyota Landcruiser on the Ardee road at Gibstown, just outside Dundalk at around 9pm on Saturday.

One of three people who was injured was also travelling in the Golf while the other two were travelling in the Landcruiser. None of those injured sustained life-threatening injuries.

A major investigation is underway and the scene of the fatal collision, one of the worst for some time, remains sealed off pending forensic and technical examinations.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” by the tragic deaths.

"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,” he said.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said there was a "veil of deep sadness and shock" over the country.

He continued: “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."

Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney said the crash had "numbed the nation".

He said he has had an initial briefing on the incident and will be meeting gardaí, the RSA and Department officials as more detailed information becomes available in the days ahead.

He said: “The immediate focus today and in the days ahead is to support families, friends and communities as they try to cope with the enormity of last night's events."

The victims were prayed for at masses across the county this morning and will be prayed for this afternoon at an annual remembrance mass for road victims which is being be held in St Augustine’s Church, Drogheda.

Speaking to reporters close to the scene this Sunday morning, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk garda station praised the professionalism of first responders given the difficult weather conditions at the time.

"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. 

"The scene here on the L3168, Gibstown, remains closed today and a technical and forensic examination is being carried out by An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision investigators.

"An 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," he said.

An incident room has been established at Dundalk garda station and an investigation has commenced under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer. 

"I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the other emergency service 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," said Supt Armstrong.

"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," he added.

Any witnesses or road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and who were traveling on the L3168, Ardee Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Saturday are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Dundalk garda station can be contacted on 042 938 8400.