Vigils held for five young people who died

Vigils are being held for the five young people who died in a crash in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland at the weekend.

Chloe McGee, 23, and Shay Duffy, 21, both from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, County Meath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, County Louth, and Chloe Hipson, 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland were killed near Dundalk on Saturday.

The two-vehicle crash happened on the Ardee Road at Gibstown.

The vigils are taking place at three gaelic football grounds in Louth, Meath and Monaghan on Tuesday evening, with people gathering for prayers and remembrance.

Books of condolence opened to the public across County Louth on Tuesday in civic offices in Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk.

Tributes have been paid to the five young people, following their deaths, from those who knew them.

Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin are also among those who have expressed their sympathy.

On Tuesday evening, Gardaí (Irish police) said they were continuing to investigate all the circumstances of the crash.

They added that post-mortem examinations have now been completed.

“The remains of Chloe, Dylan, Alan, Chloe and Shay have now been released to their families, and are being returned to their localities,” gardaí said in a statement.

Three other people – two men and a woman – were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, following the two-vehicle crash.

“The sixth occupant of the Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, has been discharged from hospital,” gardai added.

“The two occupants of the other vehicle (Toyota Landcruiser), a male and a female in their 20s, remain in hospital where they continue to receive medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.”

Gardai have again appealed for information about the crash which happened just after 21:00 local time on Saturday.