Five teenagers killed in head-on crash on M9 motorway in County Kildare

Five teenagers were killed and four other people seriously injured after a head-on collision on the M9 motorway in County Kildare, Ireland, authorities said. The crash happened in the early hours of Sunday at about 3:00 a.m., when one car was travelling the wrong way and struck another vehicle.

Police describe collision as "horrific"

Gardaí recovered the bodies of five young men at the scene of the head-on impact. In the other vehicle were three women — two in their 30s and one in her 20s — and a boy; all four were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The incident has prompted calls for witnesses and for drivers who may have dash‑cam or phone footage to come forward to assist the investigation.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the head-on collision as "horrific" and warned that "in some cases vehicles are being driven the wrong way on motorways to get social media likes." ([gov.ie](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/new-garda-commissioner-announced-by-minister-jim-ocallaghan/?utm_source=openai))

The case is being examined by Fiosrú — the Office of the Police Ombudsman — which has jurisdiction to investigate serious incidents involving the Gardaí and wider public safety matters. ([irishstatutebook.ie](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/act/1/enacted/en/print?printonload=true&utm_source=openai))

Local officers said the crash took place on the M9 in County Kildare and occurred at a time when there is typically little traffic, magnifying the tragedy for the families involved. Authorities also noted a separate wrong-way collision on the M50 the previous weekend that injured nine people, and investigators are asking the public for any footage that could clarify events leading up to the M9 crash.

Emergency services at the scene worked through the night to recover victims and to secure the motorway. Investigations are ongoing and no further details about possible motives or charges have been released while Gardaí and Fiosrú continue their inquiries.

Photo: press material from the event