A tragic two-vehicle collision on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 in County Kildare has resulted in the deaths of five teenage boys. The incident occurred at approximately 03:00 local time on Sunday, according to Gardaí. The victims, all occupants of one vehicle, have been removed from the scene and transported to Naas General Hospital, where post-mortem examinations are scheduled to take place.
Authorities reported that the vehicle carrying the teenagers was travelling on the wrong side of the carriageway when it struck a second car head-on. The two occupants of the second vehicle—a driver and a front-seat passenger, both women in their 30s—were taken to Tallaght University Hospital and remain in critical condition. A female rear-seat passenger in her 20s was transported to St. Luke’s General Hospital in serious condition, while a child passenger was taken to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and is also in serious condition.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the event as a “horrific incident” involving innocent people who were simply travelling on the road. He condemned the circumstances of the crash, citing “irresponsible and dangerous driving.” Kelly further stated that such reckless behavior is sometimes driven by a desire for social media attention, regardless of the potential for devastating consequences. He noted that officers face significant challenges when attempting to intercept such vehicles while ensuring the safety of other road users.
The section of the M9 between Junction 3 and Junction 4 remains closed in both directions, with local diversions currently in place. Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported that Gardaí confirmed no police pursuit was underway at the time of the collision.
In accordance with standard procedure for incidents involving contact with Gardaí where a member of the public has suffered death or serious injury, the police watchdog, Fiosrú, has been notified. An independent investigation is underway, with the watchdog’s on-call team having attended the scene. Fiosrú emphasized that a referral does not imply wrongdoing by any officer, but is intended to independently determine whether any act or omission by Gardaí contributed to the outcome.
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, described the situation as “absolutely catastrophic.” She expressed her deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and those currently hospitalized, while also acknowledging the difficult work of the emergency responders who arrived at the scene. “This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable,” she stated.
Gardaí are actively appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward. Investigators are specifically requesting that any road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 02:00 and 03:00 on Sunday provide any available dashcam footage to assist with the ongoing inquiry. The report also notes that what makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social media likes regardless of the potentially devastating impact it might have on innocent people and themselves. The report also notes that my heart also goes out to the first responders and all of those working in our emergency services who were met with the most horrific of scenes this morning.
