Five teenagers dead in car crash after vehicle driven wrong way on motorway

Five male teenagers have died and more people are seriously injured after a crash on a motorway in County Kildare, Irish police have said.

Two cars were in a head-on collision on the M9 between junctions 3 and 4 near Athy at around 3am on Sunday.

One of the vehicles was travelling in the wrong direction - southbound on the northbound carriageway of the motorway, according to police.

Gardaí confirmed the bodies of the five teenage males have been removed from the scene of the crash and taken to Naas General Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "My thoughts are with those injured in this morning's collision on the M9. These family members were travelling innocently when they were struck by a vehicle being driven the wrong way down the motorway.

"This horrific incident, following the recent collision on the M50, shows how irresponsible and dangerous driving on the wrong-side of the motorway is.

"That, of course, should be self-evident, but 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."

He added: "As this particular incident has been referred to Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, I am constrained in what I can say, but I know that Gardaí do what they can to stop such vehicles while also taking into consideration all other road users."

Four people, who were badly injured, have been taken to hospital.

They include the female driver and front passenger of the second car. They are both aged in their 30s and remain in a critical condition.

A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s, is in a serious condition.

The third passenger, a child, is also in a serious condition.

The M9 from junction 3 to junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed, and a forensic investigation is set to take place.

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A referral has since been made to Fiosru, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

It said in a statement: "The referral was made following a fatal road traffic incident on the M9.

"One of Fiosru's on call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing.

"In line with its statutory remit, Fiosru's investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardai (Irish police) where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured. A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or gardai have been accused of wrongdoing."

Officers have asked for any witnesses to come forward.

They are also appealing to those who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning and who may have dashcam footage of the incident.

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