A YOUNG couple killed in a horror crash at the weekend along with three of their friends had just returned from a holiday in Dubai.
Chloe McGee, 23 and a teacher from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan perished alongside her boyfriend Alan McCluskey, also 23 and from Drumconrath in Co Meath, in the tragedy outside Dundalk, Co Louth on Saturday evening.
They, along with Chloe Hipson, 21 and from Lanarkshire in Scotland, Dylan Commins, 23 and from Drumconrath and Shay Duffy, 21 and from Carrickmacross, died when the Volkswagen Golf in which they were travelling collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser on the small and winding L3168 in wet conditions at around 9pm that night.
It is understood Chloe and Alan had only recently returned from a holiday in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
Sinn Fein councillor Michael Gallagher, who like Alan is from Drumconrath, said the fact Chloe and Alan were a couple would “add to the tragedy” for their families.
He told Morning Ireland: “It does add to the tragedy and Chloe was also well known of the community.
“Alan was a very hardworking young lad. He worked on the father’s farm and he was involved with the father in the fencing business as well.”
Councillor Gallagher added: “The people are stunned, saddened and just don’t know where to go from there and there’s going to be a few really dark days ahead.”
Today, the principal of a school where Chloe taught said the woodwork and graphics teacher was celebrating landing her dream job at the time of the crash.
The 23-year-old had secured a permanent teaching position at Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education in Dundalk on Friday, where she had been working for three years.
Speaking to BBC’s Radio Ulster, principal Padraig McGovern said the Monaghan woman was “looking forward to the weekend” before tragedy struck.
Principal McGovern said: “I was speaking with Chloe on Friday. She was full of fun and she was full of achievement and success and looking forward to the weekend. Within 24 hours that changed, changed drastically.”
He added: “Chloe had got a permanent job and she was celebrating that. She loved her job.
“Chloe was three years with us and she had got her permanent contract — and that was a big thing for Chloe.”
The principal paid tribute to the young teacher who was “part of the fabric” of the school in Dundalk.
“She was very keen on her job. She became very much a part of the fabric of our school.
“She loved to help her students, loved to go the extra mile, was very good at her subject, and was also the sort of girl that was involved in everything. Anything that we were looking at to develop, she was there and willing to take part. To think we’re going into school today and she won’t be there is an incredible shock.”
Fr Finian Connaughton, a close friend of the McCluskey family, described the “devastation” of the loss of Alan.
‘SENSE OF GRIEF’
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, the parish priest in Drumconrath said “we are a very close-knit community, and the McCluskeys are very community-minded people”.
He described the 23-year-old as a “lovely young fellow going about his business”, adding he was “a regular attender at church” and an “extremely hard-working chap”.
Fr Connaughton said it was “devastating to hear the news”.
He added: “I’m conscious of the fact the McCluskeys are just one of five families who are suffering the same grief at this particular time. So I’d offer my condolences and sympathy to all of them.
“But our community here, absolutely, it’s beyond description, the sense of grief that is around.”
Alan was best friends with Dylan, who was also a motoring enthusiast.
‘SUCH AN ANGEL’
Dylan worked with his dad in the family rescue and recovery business and was a well-known mechanic in his hometown.
He went to secondary school at Ardee Community College, which paid extensive tributes to him today.
Elsewhere, heartbroken relatives of Chloe Hipson have paid tribute — saying she was “such an angel”.
Chloe’s devastated mum Toni today changed her profile picture to an image of her daughter.
Elizabeth Elliot, who is a cousin to Chloe’s distraught dad, Ryan, said the entire family has been left “broken” by the news.
She said: “Chloe was a beautiful, smart soul and did life right.
‘SO HEARTBROKEN’
“She was loved by so many and this has left the biggest dent in the family with her gaining her wings so early. So heartbroken.
“Your mum and dad and brothers gave you the best life there is and that’s how you were such an angel. We are all heartbroken for you. Everyone is so broken.”
Chloe had joined Dundalk Institute of Technology as a second year student from Scotland this year.
She was studying to be a quantity surveyor.
Another pal, Chantel Cullen, wrote on social media: “My beautiful bestie, words can’t even explain how heartbroken I am. The most kindest soul, with the perfect smile, I’m forever cherishing all the memories we both made together — growing up with you will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
A minute’s silence will be held in the young woman’s honour by Scottish club North Motherwell FC, where her brother is a player.
‘DEEP TIES’
Dundalk IT also paid tribute to Lanarkshire native Chloe and revealed a book of condolence had been set up on the campus.
President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, Diarmuid O’Callaghan, also remembered 21-year-old victim Shay Duffy.
The Carrickmacross man had recently completed part of his plumbing apprenticeship at the IT.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “Many of those involved in this tragedy have deep ties to the DkIT community.
“Condolences also to our colleagues in O’Fiaich College on the loss of Chloe McGee who worked closely with the DkIT team on the TY Entrepreneurship Programme.
“Our thoughts are with their families and friends and also the families and friends of Alan McCluskey and Dylan Commins during this very difficult time.”
‘MISSED BEYOND WORDS’
A posting on RIP.ie tonight said Shay would be “forever loved and missed beyond words by his heartbroken family”.
Announcing his death “with profound sadness”, the notice adds that he passed “tragically, following a road traffic accident”.
His parents Raymond and Carmel, “adored” brothers Vinnie and Ben, girlfriend Zara, grannies Marion and Philomena, uncles and aunts are all named in the death notice.
One message of condolence on the online notice states that “the whole nation is mourning this tragedy”.
The group were travelling together on their way to Dundalk for a night out on Saturday.
A sixth person who was in the car, also in his 20s, is receiving medical treatment in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
HERO SAVED LIFE
It is understood the first person at the scene of the crash saved the man, who is from Co Monaghan, and was in a relationship with Chloe Hipson.
The hero lifted the man from the back seat of the car and placed him on the ground several yards away, and was going back to rescue the rest when the car exploded.
One member of the emergency services said: “He was an angel who saved this young man. Sadly he did not have time to rescue the rest of them.
“The survivor is seriously injured and has a back injury which thankfully is not life-threatening.”
Two other people were also injured in what gardai described as a “shocking and devastating” crash.
The man and woman in the Toyota Land Cruiser were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
‘NUMBED AND SHOCKED’
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was “numbed and shocked” at the news, and Tanaiste Simon Harris said a “veil of deep sadness” had come over the country.
President Catherine Connolly said that she was “deeply saddened and shocked” at the loss of life.
She said: “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.”
An investigation has been launched into the incident on the L3168 at Gibstown.
Elsewhere, the Carrickmacross Christmas Lights switch-on event planned for Friday, November 21 has been cancelled as a mark of respect for the deceased.
It has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 29 at 6.30pm, the Carrickmacross Chamber of Commerce said.
The Santa Fun Run that was due to take place on Sunday, November 23 has also been rescheduled to Sunday, November 30 at 8.30am.
CCOC added: “Carrickmacross Chamber of Commerce offers our deepest sympathy to their families, friends, and loved ones.”
