The M1 motorway north of Drogheda, Co Louth was again branded the most dangerous road in Ireland by Louth County Coroner today.
Mr Ronan Maguire referred to 22-year-olds Gerard McLoughlin and Celine McArdle "as two more victims" of the road.
Gerard, from Anne Street, Dundalk, Celine from Boyle O'Reilly Terrace, Dundalk and their friend Elaine McGeogh (21), Barrack Street, died in a collision on the motorway on August 13th this year.
The inquests into the deaths of Gerard and Celine were officially opened by the Coroner today and then adjourned at the request of the gardai who are still investigating the cause of the crash.
Drogheda Coroners court heard that both were killed instantly when the Rover car they were travelling in collided with a van on the M1 near Dunleer.
Post mortems revealed they had both died from multiple injuries including fractured skulls that were consistent with being involved in a road traffic collision.
The three friends all worked together in the Lisdoo Arms pub, Dundalk and were on their way to a concert in Dublin when the accident happened.
Gerard was a chef, Celine a waitress and with Elaine McGeogh they, "were going off to a concert in Dublin and for an enjoyable day out. It is appalling that fine young people lost their lives on this, what has been reported as, the most dangerous road in the country."
"The pathologist says they would have died instantly and wound not have felt any pain; they are two more victims of the M1 and this is an appalling loss for their families," the Coroner added.