Vigils held for five young people who died

Vigils have been 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 took place at three gaelic football grounds in counties Louth, Meath and Monaghan on Tuesday evening, with people gathering for prayers and remembrance.

Reporting from Drumconrath: Catherine Morrison

Several hundred people gathered in the grounds of Drumconrath GFC to remember all those who died in the weekend’s accident, but particularly Alan McCluskey who was from the village.

Alan was an underage player and the club’s flag is at half mast.

This is a small village and all of those who gathered tonight will have known Alan or his family.

They are a farming family and Alan was remembered as a very hard worker and a good friend to many.

A book of condolence has been opened and candles were given to people as they arrived in the cold and dark to grieve together, offer support and solidarity to all the families affected.

There was music and a decade of the rosary was said.

It was a solemn and moving vigil and a time to remember all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Paul Carey, the chairman of Drumconrath GFC, said the club held the vigil as a “mark of solidarity” and to have a “place for everyone to come and meet up and show some respect for the families”.

He said it’s “unimaginable” what the families are going through and added that the community is in “a state of shock”.

Speaking before the vigil, he said: “We’re going to remember all five of the victims, in particular our own neighbour.”

“Alan would have played football when he was here at an underage level, so it’s particularly a remembrance for the whole McCluskey family.”

“It’s a small village and a little community, so everyone kind of knows each other, so everyone would know Alan,” he added.

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.

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.