Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on the bodies of five teenage boys who died after the car they were travelling in went the wrong way down the M9 motorway in County Kildare and collided head-on with another vehicle. The crash happened between junction 3 and junction 4 near Moone at approximately 3am on Sunday, 16 August 2026. Three occupants of the second car, along with a child, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Gardaí said the vehicle carrying the teenage boys was travelling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck the oncoming car. According to the original Garda account, those injured were two women in their 30s, one woman in her 20s, and a child, though later reporting from RTÉ described the injured adults as two women in their 30s, alongside a seven-year-old boy who was also seriously hurt.
Investigators have confirmed there was no Garda pursuit under way at the time of the collision, and officers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash, or who was driving that stretch of motorway around the time it occurred, to come forward.
What has changed since the crash was first reported?
The death toll was initially recorded as four, but the Irish Times reported that gardaí discovered a fifth victim's remains once the wreckage was being cleared, raising the number of teenage boys killed to five. Separately, the Sun reported that gardaí suspect the car may have been stolen and that it had failed to stop for police prior to the crash.
Fiosrú, the independent body that oversees policing conduct in Ireland, has been notified of the incident and is now conducting its own investigation, according to a report from Anews.
How is the investigation being carried out?
Forensic collision investigators have finished examining the scene, and the stretch of motorway is expected to reopen shortly, according to the Irish Times. RTÉ reported that the section of the M9 between junctions 3 and 4 had remained shut in both directions while examinations took place, with diversions set up for local traffic.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said those hurt in the second vehicle were ordinary people caught up through no fault of their own.
He described those injured in the crash as "family members" who were "travelling innocently" when they were struck by the car driving on the wrong side of the motorway.
Kelly called the crash a "horrific incident" brought about by "irresponsible and dangerous driving."
"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 also acknowledged the difficulty facing officers who encounter vehicles being driven in such a manner.
Kelly added that police "do what they can to stop such vehicles while also taking into consideration all other road users."
"Gardaí are put in a really challenging situation dealing with such incidents."
How are the injured being treated?
RTÉ reported that the two women were listed in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital, while the child was in serious condition at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin.
What has the political reaction been?
Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, said the aftermath of the crash was devastating for the local community.
"My deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who have lost their lives, and for those who remain in a critical condition in hospital," she said.
"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."
"This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable," Ms Ní Raghallaigh added.
What happens next?
Gardaí have confirmed the investigation remains active and are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage from anyone travelling on the M9 around the time of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Athy Garda Station on 01 666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, according to RTÉ. The motorway had been expected to reopen shortly after forensic teams completed their work at the scene.
Key Facts
- The crash occurred at about 3am on Sunday, 16 August 2026, on the M9 near Moone, County Kildare.
- Five teenage boys died after their car travelled the wrong way into oncoming traffic.
- Two women in their 30s and a seven-year-old boy from the second car remain in hospital, with the women described as critical.
- Fiosrú, Ireland's police watchdog, is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.
- Gardaí suspect the vehicle may have been stolen and had earlier failed to stop for police.
