First Minister says ‘heart is broken’ after three men and two women, all under 25, dead after horror crash
Two car crash occurred on the Ardee Road outside Dundalk shortly after 9pm last nightAll five deceased were travelling in the same car, a VW GolfA sixth person travelling in the Golf is in hospital with serious injuriesA male and female in a Toyota Land Cruiser are in hospital with non-life threatening injuries
The crash, involving two vehicles, occurred in the townland of Gibstown, on the Ardee Road, on the outskirts of Dundalk town shortly after 9pm.
All five deceased were travelling in the same car, a Volkswagen Golf.
They are understood to be from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Drumconrath, Co. Louth and Scotland.
There was a sixth person in the Golf, a male, who is in hospital with serious injuries.
A male and female in Toyota Land Cruiser are in hospital with non life threatening injuries.
In a post on X, Michelle O’Neill wrote: “My heart is absolutely broken following the tragic road accident in Louth that has taken the lives of five young people.
“No family should ever have to endure such unimaginable heartache.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends, and local communities of the young people.”
Michelle O’Neill. Photo: PA
Speaking in Dundalk this morning, Garda Superintendent Charlie Armstrong said they are investigating all circumstances in relation to the crash.
He expressed his condolences to the families of the five young adults.
“Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to each of the families to provide support and An Garda Síochána will keep the families updated as to the course of the ongoing investigation,” he said.
“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.
“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.
“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 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, Drumconrath and in Scotland. This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk,” he added.
Gardai have notified the local coroner’s office and the State Pathologist and post mortems will be carried out over the coming days.
The L3168 remains closed between the N52 and the R171, which is preserved pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local traffic diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the L3168, Ardee Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on the night of Saturday November 15, 2025 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
The crash occurred on the L3168 on the outskirts of Dundalk on Saturday night. Photo: Ken Finegan / Newspics Photography
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” by the news.
“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.
Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú says 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.
“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 victims will be prayed for at Masses throughout the town and county this morning by a community numbed by news of such a tragedy.
News Catch Up – Friday 14 November
Later this afternoon, at 1pm, an annual remembrance mass for road victims will be held in St Augustine’s Church, Drogheda, when sadly the latest victims and their bereaved families will be prayed for.
