Identities Revealed of 5 People in Their Early 20s Killed in ‘Shocking and Devastating’ 2-Car Collision

Authorities in the Republic of Ireland have identified five young adults who died in a tragic crash over the weekend.

The fatal collision occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, along Ardee Road near Dundalk in County Louth, according to a police news release.

Superintendent Charlie Armstrong stated on Sunday, Nov. 16, that the crash involved a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser on the L3168 road in the village of Gibstown.

“Five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three males and two females, all in their early 20s, are deceased at the scene,” he confirmed. Another man in his 20s who was in the same vehicle was transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Two occupants of the second vehicle — a man and a woman — were also taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

In a Facebook update on Sunday, police identified the victims as:

• Chloe McGee, 23, from Carrickmacross
• Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath
• Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee
• Shay Duffy, 21, from Carrickmacross
• Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire, Scotland

Superintendent Armstrong shared condolences, saying, “I want to express my sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Síochána to the families of the five adults who lost their lives yesterday evening.”

He added that post-mortem examinations will take place in the coming days.

Armstrong also commended the first responders: “The scene was very difficult, in adverse weather conditions, and the professionalism shown, along with the care and respect given to the five deceased, was exemplary.”

He noted that the loss of so many young people “will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland,” describing the tragedy as “shocking” and “devastating.”

He encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact authorities and concluded with a renewed message of sympathy for the grieving families.

Tributes have since poured in for the victims.
Chloe McGee — a teacher at O’Fiaich College in Dundalk — was described by her principal, Padraig McGovern, as “vivacious,” “a lovely girl,” and a “master of her craft,” according to the BBC.

“To think we’re going into school today and she won’t be there is an incredible shock,” McGovern told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster. He acknowledged how difficult it will be for students to process such a sudden loss.

Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, reacted to the tragedy in an X post, writing: “Numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash that has [led] to the loss of five young lives. 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.”