Five young people who died in a road crash in Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland on Saturday have been named by gardaí (Irish police).

They are 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.

They were travelling in a car which collided with another vehicle on the Ardee Road at Gibstown just after 21:00 (local time) on Saturday.

Three others – two men and a woman – are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Speaking at the scene Supt Charlie Armstrong said: “This is a shocking, devastating event for these families, their communities and the community here in Dundalk.”

Supt Charlie Armstrong, said gardaí are investigating all the circumstances of the crash.

“Yesterday evening just after 21:00 there was a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and a Toyota Land Cruiser.

“Five occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, three males and two females all in their early 20s, were deceased at the scene.

Supt Armstrong said another occupant of the Volkswagen Golf, a male in his 20s, was removed and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment of serious non-life-threatening injuries.

“The two occupants of the second vehicle, a male and a female, were also taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.”

Supt Armstrong appealed for privacy for the victims’ families.

“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,” he said.

He also commended his garda colleagues and 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 five deceased was exemplary,” Supt Armstrong said.

Local traffic diversions remain in place.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

The principal of Ó Fiaich Institute in Dundalk, where Ms McGee was a teacher, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ they are “devastated” following the crash.

“Chloe was a very valued member of our staff and an extremely energetic, positive person and someone who enjoyed life and who gave everything she had to her job, to her educational community and to her students,” Padraig McGovern said.

“This educational community is devastated today and will be for a long time to come as someone like Chloe doesn’t come about very often,” he said.

Irish President Catherine Connolly said she is “deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives in Louth last night”.

She added: “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 (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said he is “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.”

Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Harris said: “A veil of deep sadness and shock has come over our country this morning.”

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,” he told BBC News NI.

“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 said.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it was an “absolutely shocking tragedy”, adding that her thoughts are with their family and friends as well as the emergency workers who attended the scene.

Dundalk TD (member of parliament) Ruairí Ó Murchú said his heart goes out to the families and friends impacted by the ‘horrific’ crash at Gibstown last night.

The Sinn Féin deputy said the “dreadful and shocking news” has stunned the 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.”

He also said he was thinking about the emergency services.

“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,” he said.