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Five people of their early twenties were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Ireland on Saturday night.
The incident happened just after 9pm at Gibstown, Co Louth, and involved a Volkswagen Golf.
It is believed the group were on their method to socialise in Dundalk, a town near the border with Northern Ireland.
Three other people, considered one of whom can be in his early 20s, were injured in what Irish police described as a ‘shocking and devastating’ crash.
Three men and two women died on the scene, while three others were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment.
A significant incident response was initiated last night by gardai and emergency services who attended the scene.
Supt Charlie Armstrong said, near the scene: ‘I would like to specific my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of each member of An Garda Siochana to the families of the five young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening on this road traffic collision.
‘I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Siochana and the opposite emergency services who attended the scene last night.
‘The scene was very difficult, in antagonistic 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 lack of five young adults, can have a deep impact on families and native communities in Carrickmacross, Dromconrath and in Scotland.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: ‘I’m numbed and shocked on the horrific road crash that has led to the lack of five young lives in Dundalk, Co Louth.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those young people, and people injured.
‘We also consider our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.’
Tanaiste Simon Harris said: ‘A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning with the news emerging of the devastating lack of five young lives overnight in a road traffic accident in Co Louth.
‘This morning, my thoughts, and I do know the thoughts of individuals right across our country, are with the families of those that have lost family members, their friends, and their communities.
‘We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and within the time ahead.
‘I also need to pay tribute to the emergency services.
‘One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances during which they found themselves working last night as they set about attempting to assist in probably the most harrowing of situations.’
Supt Liam Geraghty identified how they were speaking on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
He said: ‘The events that occurred here last night again are a really, very clear reminder for us of how things can change dramatically on our roads in a split second, and the tragedy that that brings to families, to communities and to family members.
‘As we stand here today, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads thus far this yr in 2025. That may be a slight increase, unfortunately, within the number who lost their lives on roads in 2024.’
The scene on the L3168 will remain closed today as gardai perform technical and forensic examinations.
Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
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