started · updated
M9 motorway collision in Ireland kills five teenagers
A head-on collision occurred on the M9 motorway in County Kildare, Ireland, in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026. The accident involved two vehicles after one car, reportedly a BMW, was driven the wrong way on the northbound carriageway near Junction 3.
Five teenage males traveling in the wrong-way vehicle were killed in the crash. Four occupants of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries: two women in their 30s remain in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital, a woman in her 20s is in serious condition at St. Luke’s General Hospital, and a child is in serious condition at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the incident as “horrific,” noting that such reckless behavior is sometimes driven by a desire for social media attention. The police ombudsman, Fiosrú, has been notified and is conducting an independent investigation. The M9 remains closed between Junction 3 and Junction 4 in both directions for forensic examinations.
Entities
County Kildare · Fiosrú · Garda Síochána · Gardaí · Justin Kelly · M9 · M9 motorway · St Luke’s General Hospital · Tallaght University Hospital
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] One car was travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [DISPUTED] A female driver and a front-seat passenger, both in their 30s, are in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 4 SOURCES] A number of people have died as a result of the collision. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 4 SOURCES] A head-on collision occurred on the M9 motorway northbound at Junction 3. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 4 SOURCES] The crash occurred at approximately 3am on Sunday. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 5 SOURCES] A woman in her 20s is in serious condition at St Luke’s General Hospital. metro.co.uk · wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 9 SOURCES] A child is in serious condition at Children’s Health Ireland. wtxnews.com · www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie · www.standard.co.uk · www.northernsound.ie · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The M9 motorway remains closed between Junction 3 and Junction 4 in both directions. www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie
- [● 6 SOURCES] One vehicle was traveling southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M9. www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie · www.standard.co.uk · www.northernsound.ie · gript.ie
- [● 7 SOURCES] The collision occurred at approximately 3:00 AM on Sunday, August 16, at Junction 3 of the M9 Northbound. www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie · www.standard.co.uk · wtxnews.com · www.northernsound.ie · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] A number of people died in a head-on collision on the M9. www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie · www.standard.co.uk · wtxnews.com · www.northernsound.ie
- [● 3 SOURCES] The M9 is closed in both directions between Junction 3 and Junction 4. www.newstalk.com · www.breakingnews.ie