FIVE PEOPLE HAVE been killed in a road traffic collision on the M9 near Moone after a car driving the wrong way hit another car.

According to gardaí five teenage boys in the car, a BMW, driving the wrong way were killed, multiple sources have confirmed.

It is understood that at least one person was ejected from the car and found some distance from the crash site.

The four people in the other car, a Hyundai, including a 7-year-old boy, have all been taken to hospital and are in conditions ranging from serious to critical.

It is understood that they are all related.

Gardaí said that the collision happened between junction three and four on the M9 near Moone.

It is believed the car driving in the wrong direction was trying to evade gardaí who were investigating a robbery in the area. The car, a suspected stolen BMW, hit the second vehicle, a Hyundai, driven by an innocent motorist, head-on.

It is understood that the second car was on its way to Dublin Airport.

The female driver and female front passenger in the Hyundai car, both aged in their 30s, were taken to Tallaght University Hospital. Both were in critical condition. 

A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital and is in a serious condition.

The fourth passenger, a child, was taken to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.

The collision has been referred by An Garda Síochána to Fiosrú, the police ombudsman. 

Eamon Farrell / ©RollingNews.ie Eamon Farrell / ©RollingNews.ie / ©RollingNews.ie

Justin Kelly, the garda commissioner, condemned what he described as “reckless behaviour”.

“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.”

Fiosrú said that it attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing.

The investigation “relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured,” they said, adding that a referral “does not necessarily mean a garda or gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing”.

“Instead, it means that Fiosrú should independently investigate the incident to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.”

Labour councillor for Kildare South Mark Leigh told The Journal: “I’m just thinking of the survivors and I really, really hope that they pull through.

“All we can do now is think of the families of those who’ve been deceased.

“This is the second incident of people travelling down, I suppose, to try and get away from the gardaí down the motorways of Ireland in the last two weeks.

“It’s just a matter of time before there was going to be a huge accident like this.”

Last Sunday, nine people were hospitalised after a collision on the M50 involving a car that was headed in the wrong direction.

The Journal reported last week that gardaí across Dublin and surrounding counties are dealing with nightly car theft incidents as groups of teenage boys steal cars to record TikTok videos.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said that he “is committed to ensuring that our gardaí have the resources, equipment and legislation they need to fulfil their vital roads policing role”, and said he engages regularly with the commissioner on these matters.

Ivan Keatley, Fine Gael councillor for Athy, told The Journal: “It is always a huge shock to hear that people have lost their lives on the motorway.

“It is really unfortunate and obviously our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of the people that are currently in hospital and the deceased.”

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh said: “The information we have learnt about the circumstances of this collision so far are disturbing – we know that one car was tracked by gardaí, travelling down the wrong side of the road, and that Fiosrú will launch its own investigation as a result of this.

“This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable. My thoughts are with all affected.”

The section of the M9 from junction 3 to junction 4 northbound and southbound has been closed and local diversions are in place.

A forensic collision examination will take place in due course, gardaí said.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

Road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2am and 3am this morning Sunday 16 August 2026 and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Athy Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Additional reporting from Ottoline Spearman