“This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community”
Five young people in their early 20s have been killed in a crash in Co Louth on Saturday night.
The crash, which involved two vehicles, occurred in the townland of Gibstown in Dundalk shortly after 9pm on November 15 and officers are now investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Three males and two females in a Volkswagen Golf were announced dead at the scene and one other person in the car was rushed to hospital in nearby Drogheda for treatment.
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In a statement, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong, Dundalk Garda Station said: “An Garda Síochána are currently investigating all of the circumstances of a Fatal Road Traffic Collision here on the L3168, Gibstown, just outside Dundalk, Co. Louth.
“Yesterday evening, just after 9pm there was a serious Road Traffic Collision involving 2 vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Landcruiser.
“5 occupants of the Volkswagen Golf (3 males and 2 females all in the early 20s) are deceased at the scene. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha, go léir.
“1 occupant of the Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, was removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda for treatment of serious, non-life threatening, injuries.”
The two occupants of the second vehicle, a male and a female, were also taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and An Garda Síochána have said they will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong continued: “I want to express my condolences and sympathies and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Síochána to the families of the 5 young adults who lost their lives yesterday evening in this Road Traffic Collision.
“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.
Superintendent Charlie Armstrong acknowledged and expressed gratitude to colleagues in An Garda Síochána and the other emergency services who attended the scene.
“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 5 deceased was exemplary.
“This tragedy, with the loss of 5 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.”
An appeal has been made to anyone with information on the crash or footage from the area to contact Dundalk Garda station
“Finally, I once again want to express my sympathies to the families of the 5 young people who lost their lives yesterday evening.”
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