Three men and two women in their 20s have died in car crash in Co Louth, Irish police say

Three men and two women died in a "shocking" and "devastating" road crash involving two cars in Co Louth on Saturday night, Irish police said.

The collision happened on the L3168 in Gibstown, Dundalk, shortly after 9pm.

Police said the five victims were all aged in their 20s and had been in the same vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf.

They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Another man, also in his 20s, was "removed" from the car and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was treated for "serious non-life-threatening injuries", said Superintendent Charlie Armstrong.

The Golf was in a collision with a Toyota Land Cruiser.

A man and a woman in the second vehicle were also taken to the same hospital.

Their injuries are described as "non-life-threatening".

Praise for emergency response

Superintendent Armstrong said an investigation into the road crash was under way, as he praised the emergency services.

He said: "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 five deceased was exemplary.

"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.

"This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk."

He said family liaison officers have been appointed to each of the families and police will keep them updated.

'Veil of deep sadness'

Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Harris said a "veil of deep sadness" had come over the country.

He said his thoughts were "with the families of those who have lost loved ones, their friends, and their communities".

Mr Harris added: "I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services.

"One cannot even imagine the extraordinarily difficult and tragic circumstances in which they found themselves working last night as they set about trying to help in the most harrowing of situations."

Read more from Sky News:
Temperatures could fall to -7C in cold snap
Thousands march in Gen Z protests in Mexico

Superintendent Armstrong urged anyone with information about the collision to contact the investigation team.

He said: "I am appealing to any person who was on the L3168 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm, last night Saturday November 15 2025, to contact the Garda investigation team.

"I am appealing to any person who might have any camera footage or images from the L3168, Gibstown area, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm last night, to give that footage or images to the investigation team at Dundalk Garda Station."

The L3168 was closed between the N52 and the R171 as forensic experts investigated, and traffic diversions were in place.

(c) Sky News 2025: Three men and two women in their 20s have died in car crash in Co Louth, Irish police say