Gardaí and political leaders have expressed shock and sadness following last night's crash in Co Louth, in which five young people were killed, with the President saying she is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the incident.
The three men and two women who died were all under the age of 25 and were from Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan and Drumconrath in Co Meath, with one of the women from Scotland.
President Catherine Connolly said: "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."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "numbed and shocked" at the crash, which he described as "horrific".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people.
"We also think of our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances," he added.
Numbed and shocked at the horrific road crash that has lead to the loss of five young lives.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 16, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these young people.
We also think of our first responders, who worked so professionally in truly devastating circumstances.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said there was a "veil of deep sadness and shock" over the country, adding that the thoughts and prayers of people across the country would be with the families of those who died.
"We keep them in our prayers and in our thoughts now and in the time ahead," he added.
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney said the crash had "numbed the nation".
He said he has had an initial briefing on the incident and will be meeting gardaí, the RSA and Department officials as more detailed information becomes available in the days ahead.
"The immediate focus today and in the days ahead is to support families, friends and communities as they try to cope with the enormity of last night's events."
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the incident was "heartbreaking", adding that her thoughts were also with the members of emergency services who responded to the situation.
Co Meath Sinn Féin Councillor Michael Gallagher said people are "devastated and heartbroken" following the crash.
Speaking to RTÉ's This Week, Mr Gallagher, who lives in Drumconrath, said he knows the families of three of the young men who died in the crash.
"It's devastating news for any family to hear," he said.
Crash will have 'deep impact on families and communities involved, say gardaí
Gardaí have said last night's crash will have a "deep impact" on the local communities and families of the deceased.
Speaking this morning, Superintendent Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station described it as a "shocking, devastating" incident.
"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," he said.
"This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk," he added.
Supt Armstrong appealed for privacy for the families involved, adding that each of them has had a family liaison officer appointed to support them.
He also praised the response by emergency services to what he described as a very difficult scene, during what were adverse weather conditions.
"The professionalism shown by all first responders and the care and respect shown to the 5 deceased was exemplary," he added.
All five deceased were travelling in a Volkswagen Golf car which collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on the Ardee road at Gibstown just after 9pm last night.
Another man in his 20s, travelling in the Volkswagen Golf, was brought to hospital in Drogehda with non-life-threatening injuries.
The two people who were in the Toyota Land Cuiser were also brought to hospital in Drogehda with non-life-threatening injuries.
