Five people in their 20s dead after two-car road crash

Gardai (Irish police) said the crash occurred on the L3168 in Gibstown, Dundalk, shortly after 9pm.

The L3168 remains closed between the N52 and the R171, which is being preserved awaiting a specialised examination by Garda forensic investigators.

According to the BBC, it is believed those in the car were travelling on the Saturday night to socialise.

On Sunday morning, a Garda spokesman said "the vehicles and bodies of the deceased all remain at the scene".

"A number of people have also been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda," it was confirmed.

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong, from Dundalk garda station, said all five people who died in the road crash were in the same vehicle.

According to Mr Armstrong, the gardai are investigating all the circumstances of the fatal road traffic collision that involved a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser.

"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," Mr Armstrong said.

"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, to contact the garda investigation team."

Fianna Fail Councillor Shane McGuinness revealed he lives close to the scene of the accident.

"It is a very dangerous stretch of road, with bad bends and no public lighting," he told BBC News NI.

"The weather was very bad last night.

"This is a real tragedy, and I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims."

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