'I am thinking of them'

While Gardai began a major probe into Saturday night's crash just outside Dundalk in Co Louth, President Connolly said: "As President of Ireland, I am deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth last night.

"I am thinking of them, their families and of those injured.

"May I acknowledge also all those first responders who have worked to support all involved."

The five people who died in a County Louth crash have since been named.

They were Chloe McGee (23) and Shay Duffy (21) from Carrickmacross, Monaghan; Alan McCluskey (23) from Drumconrath, Meath; Dylan Commins (23) from Ardee, Louth and Chloe Hipson (21) from Lanarkshire, Scotland.

It is understood that the group of youngsters were travelling to the Dundalk area to socialise when the collision occurred.

The five deceased were all travelling in the same car, a Volkswagen Golf, when they collided with another vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, on the L3168 in the townland of Gibstown, Dundalk last night, Saturday November 15, shortly after 9pm.

Another man in his 20s was traveling in the same car as the deceased and is being treated in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for serious non-life threatening injuries.

The two occupants of the second vehicle, a man and a woman both in their 20s, were also taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

On X, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash'.

”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.”

Speaking to BBC News NI, Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane McGuinness said he lives close to the scene of the accident.

"It is a very dangerous stretch of road, with bad bends and no public lighting.

"The weather was very bad last night.

"This is a real tragedy and I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," he explained.