Five teenagers dead after crash involving car on wrong side of motorway
The scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare, where five people have died and others have been seriously injured (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire Jonathan McCambridge 3 minutes ago Five teenagers have died and four other people have been seriously injured in a crash involving a car driving in the wrong direction on a motorway in Co Kildare .
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has described the head-on collision between two cars on the M9 as “horrific” and warned that “in some cases” vehicles are being driven on the wrong side of motorways for social media likes.
Gardaí said they are investigating the circumstances of the crash at junction 3 at about 3am on Sunday.
Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the M9 northbound carriageway.
The vehicle was travelling between junctions 3 and 4 when it collided head-on with another car.
A gardaí spokesperson said the bodies of five teenage males, all occupants of one vehicle, have been recovered from the scene.
Their bodies have been taken to Naas General Hospital where post-mortem examinations will take place.
The spokesperson added: “The occupants of the second vehicle, three women, two aged in their 30s, one in her 20s, and a male child all remain in hospital continuing to receive treatment for serious injuries.
“Forensic collision investigators have completed their examination of the scene.”
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the crash as ‘horrific’ (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire The road is expected to reopen shortly.
The gardaí spokesperson added: “Family liaison officers have been appointed to relatives of the occupants of both vehicles.
“Gardaí are appealing for any persons who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.
“Gardaí are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2am and 3am this morning, Sunday August 16 2026, and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.”
Mr Kelly said: “My thoughts are with those injured in this morning’s collision on the M9.
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