Cathal Crowe faces criticism over comments on fatal M9 collision

Fianna Fáil TD and Oireachtas Education and Youth Committee Chair Cathal Crowe has faced criticism following social media comments regarding a fatal collision on the M9 in County Kildare. The accident occurred near Athy on Sunday, August 16, when a vehicle carrying five teenagers drove into oncoming traffic while attempting to evade gardaí. The resulting head-on collision killed five young men, identified as Jack Kennedy (17), Kamil Pustkowski (17), Joe Carthy (15), Alex McCarthy (17), and Jeremy O’Brien (18).

Crowe expressed concern over online tributes that he believes are “glamourising” dangerous driving, stating he was “sick of seeing people eulogising and heaping praise on thugs.” He argued that public sympathy should be directed toward the victims and An Garda Síochána.

Independent Senator Lynn Ruane criticized Crowe’s remarks as “beyond disturbing,” accusing him of using “dehumanising” language toward young people. Ruane argued that such comments do not prevent future tragedies and instead hinder accountability and the creation of effective interventions for youth safety.

Four individuals from the second vehicle—three women in their 20s and 30s and a seven-year-old boy—were hospitalized with injuries ranging from serious to critical.