'To think we're going to school today and she won't be there'

Chloe Hipson, Alan McCluskey, Shay Duffy, Chloe McGee and Dylan Commins died in the crash

The principal of the school where one of the young people who died in a crash in the Republic of Ireland taught, said it is a "major challenge" to convey what has happened to the students.

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.

Chloe McGee was a teacher at O'Fiaich College in Dundalk and the principal described her as "vivacious", "a lovely girl", and a "master of her craft".

"On Friday, like every other day, Chloe was around the corridors and looking forward to the weekend and working with her students - all smiles, all laughs," Padraig McGovern told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"To think we're going into school today and she won't be there is an incredible shock and to convey that to students, to young people who find it difficult to process something, or even more difficult than we do, is just a major challenge."

Monsignor Shane McCaughey spent time with Chloe McGee's family on Sunday and said their "heart was breaking"

Monsignor Shane McCaughey who knew Chloe's family well described them as a "very close-knit family".

He spent Sunday evening visiting them and said "it was the first time in my priesthood that I experienced first-hand a family whose heart was breaking at the one time".

"In that situation, words are not capable, can't be stretched far enough to carry the emotion that one wishes to express to people who are experiencing such terrible grief," Monsignor McCaughey told Good Morning Ulster.

He said when the news came and the family saw Chloe's image they "almost collapsed in real time because now it wasn't just that their daughter was dead, it was now public confirmation that they weren't going to see their daughter again".

"To find words in that sort of a setting is very, very difficult."

The five people who died were travelling in a car which collided with another vehicle on the Ardee Road at Gibstown, near Dundalk

North Motherwell Football Club in North Lanarkshire in Scotland also paid tribute to Chloe Hipson who was the younger sister of one of the club's players.

In a post on social media, the club said the Hipson family "have always held a special place in the hearts of everyone at NMFC and are very much still part of our football family".

They sent their "deepest condolences" to the family "at this life shattering time".

The club will hold a minute's silence in memory of Chloe and to show their support for the Hipson family.

Ms Hipson was in her second year at Dundalk Institute of Technology studying quantity surveying after moving to Ireland in April.

A spokesperson from the college said they were "heartbroken" to hear of her death.

They said: "Despite joining a class who had already had a year together, Chloe fitted in immediately and made great friends.

"She was a diligent student, who was very friendly and good humoured and always smiling. She will be remembered fondly by all of us who knew her."

A book of condolences for Ms Hipson has been set up in the college.

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

Magheracloone Mitchells GFC in County Monaghan, where Shay Duffy was a former player, said the "club and community mourns the heart-breaking loss of five lives".

In a post on social media, they said they "extend our heartfelt condolences" to Shay's family and that the families of the other young people who died may they "find peace, strength, and support through this difficult time".

Patrician High School in Carrickmacross in County Monaghan where Shay and Alan McCluskey were former pupils said "their loss is felt profoundly by staff, students, and the wider school community".

"Alan and Shay will be remembered fondly by all who knew them during their time at our school."

In a social media post, the school also paid tribute to Chloe McGee who completed her teacher training there and said she "made a lasting impression on our school and students through her dedication and warmth".

'A dark cloud has come down on the community'

Drumconrath Sinn Féin councillor Michael Gallagher said Alan McCluskey and Dylan Commins were both well known locally

Drumconrath Sinn Féin councillor Michael Gallagher said people are "devastated, saddened and really shocked".

He said Alan McCluskey and Dylan Commins were both well known locally and were "two popular fellas".

"A dark cloud has come down on the community," he said.

"Five young lives, coming up to Christmas. I am thinking of those five families. It is a terrible, terrible tragedy."

Parish priest Fr Finian Connaughton told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme on Monday the sense of grief in Drumconrath "is beyond description".

He said he had known Alan McCluskey since childhood.

"I would have known Alan from his very earliest days - given him his first Communion, Confirmation, and I know the family, a very regular attender at church, it would have to be said.

"Alan and his family are very much involved here in the parish, so it was devastation to hear that news."

Fr Connaughton said all the families of those killed were suffering the same sense of grief.

"I know community will rally round at this time, as they've done in the past."

Supt Charlie Armstrong spoke to the media near the scene

Speaking at the scene on Sunday 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.

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

"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 taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, with 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."

Gardaí (Irish police) at the scene of fatal road crash near Dundalk in County Louth

On Sunday, Irish President Catherine Connolly said she was "deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of five precious young lives".

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."

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.