A fifth person has died following a serious crash on the M9 in Co Kildare, bringing the total death toll to five. All five are thought to have been travelling in the same vehicle, which was heading the wrong way down the motorway.
Details of the collision
Emergency services were called to the M9 near Athy, Co Kildare, at around 3am on Sunday, August 16. It was originally reported that four young males had been killed. However, another young man was found amongst the wreckage later that afternoon, the Irish Mirror reports.
The vehicle, a BMW, was travelling southbound against traffic when it collided with a car carrying four members of an extended family. Three women in the car, one in her 20s and two in their 30s, were injured, as was a seven-year-old child.
Injuries and hospital treatment
The child is understood to have suffered a broken leg and is being treated at the Children's Health Ireland Hospital in south Dublin. The female in her 20s was seriously injured and is being treated at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny. The two other women are being treated at Tallaght Hospital in south Co Dublin.
Garda Commissioner's response
Speaking today, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "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."
He added: "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."
Commissioner Kelly noted that the incident has been referred to Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, and said he is constrained in what he can say in detail. He expressed confidence that Gardaí do what they can to stop such vehicles while considering all other road users, and that An Garda Síochána will fully cooperate with the Police Ombudsman investigation.
