KILDARE, Ireland — August 16, 2026 — Five teenage boys have been killed and four other people seriously injured after a vehicle travelling on the wrong side of a motorway collided head-on with another car in County Kildare, Ireland.
The devastating crash happened at around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday on the M9 northbound at Junction 3, according to Ireland’s national police service, An Garda Síochána.
The five teenagers were occupants of the vehicle travelling in the wrong direction. Gardaí confirmed that all five died in the collision.
Their bodies were taken to Naas General Hospital, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out.
The second vehicle was carrying four people, including a child. The driver and front-seat passenger, both women in their 30s, were taken to Tallaght University Hospital and remain in critical condition.
A woman in her 20s who was travelling in the rear seat was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital, where she is in serious condition. A child was transported to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and is also in serious condition.
Garda Commissioner condemns ‘horrific incident’
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the collision as a “horrific incident” and condemned the behaviour that led to the crash as irresponsible and dangerous driving.
He said the people in the second vehicle were “family members” who had been travelling innocently when their car was struck by the wrong-way vehicle.
Commissioner Kelly also warned about dangerous driving carried out for social media attention, saying such behaviour can have devastating consequences for innocent road users as well as those responsible.
He said Gardaí face difficult decisions when attempting to stop dangerous vehicles because officers must also consider the safety of other road users.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that Gardaí confirmed there was no police pursuit taking place at the time of the collision.
Independent investigation launched
The Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been notified of the incident and an independent investigation is under way.
Fiosrú investigators attended the scene. The watchdog investigates incidents involving contact with Gardaí in which a member of the public has died or suffered serious injury.
However, Fiosrú stressed that a referral does not automatically mean Gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether any act or omission by a Garda member may have contributed to the death or serious injury.
‘The most horrific of scenes’
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh described the crash scene as “absolutely catastrophic.”
She expressed her condolences to the families of those killed and concern for those fighting for their lives in hospital.
She also paid tribute to first responders and emergency-service workers who attended what she described as “the most horrific of scenes.”
“This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable,” she said.
Gardaí appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage
The M9 between Junction 3 and Junction 4, in both the northbound and southbound directions, remains closed while investigators examine the scene. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the motorway to come forward.
They are particularly seeking dashcam footage from motorists who travelled along the M9 between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, whether northbound or southbound.
Investigators said even footage showing the surrounding area shortly before the collision could assist the inquiry.
The deaths of the five teenagers and the serious injuries suffered by the four occupants of the second vehicle have sent shockwaves through the community, with emergency responders and authorities continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.