Five teenagers killed after car drives wrong way on Ireland’s M9 as Garda pursuit training faces scrutiny
Five teenagers died in a devastating M9 motorway crash
Five teenagers have died in a devastating wrong-way motorway crash in County Kildare, prompting fresh questions about Garda pursuit procedures and police driver training in Ireland.
The teenagers were killed when their car collided head-on with another vehicle on the M9 motorway early on Sunday morning. Four other people were injured, including a seven-year-old boy and three women, with two of the women reported to be in critical condition.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) says officers had attempted to stop the car before it travelled in the wrong direction on the motorway but were instructed to disengage from the pursuit.
Five Teenagers Killed in M9 Motorway Crash
The fatal collision happened on the M9 northbound between Junction 3 and Junction 4 in County Kildare at about 03:00 local time on Sunday.
The five teenagers who died have been identified locally as Joe Carthy from Athy, Alex McCarthy from Carlow, Kamil Pustkowski from Limerick, Jeremy O’Brien and Jack Kennedy.
Their deaths have left families and communities across Ireland mourning, while attention has turned to the circumstances leading up to the collision.
According to the Garda Representative Association, the teenagers had been in the vehicle for several hours before the crash. Gardaí reportedly attempted to interact with them and bring the car to a stop on several occasions.
Gardaí Were Told to Disengage From Pursuit
Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, said officers attempted to stop the vehicle and deployed stinger devices.
The car continued travelling towards the motorway, after which officers were instructed by the command and control centre to disengage.
McManus said roads policing officers in the Gardaí do not have pursuit training, meaning officers could face significant consequences if they pursued a vehicle without the appropriate training.
She described disengaging from a vehicle after it took evasive action as the normal procedure under the circumstances described by the association.
The Garda Representative Association has called attention to the lack of pursuit training as a longstanding issue.
Police Pursuit Training Under Scrutiny
The crash has renewed debate about whether Gardaí have sufficient training and resources to deal with dangerous driving incidents involving vehicles that attempt to evade police.
Brendan O’Connor, a Donegal garda and former GRA president, said the lack of pursuit training could shock members of the public. He described it as a “critical shortfall” in Garda capacity.
O’Connor said the GRA had raised concerns about the issue for years and argued that police driver training had not received sufficient priority.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, said the Garda Commissioner has indicated that pursuit training will be introduced this year.
An Garda Síochána had been contacted for comment on the claims.
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Four People Injured in the Crash
Four people in the other vehicle were injured in the collision.
The injured group includes two women in their 30s, another woman in her 20s and a seven-year-old boy. Two of the women are reported to be in critical condition, while the other woman and child are in serious condition.
The victims are understood to be from Carlow.
The severity of the injuries has added to the shock surrounding the crash, with emergency responders facing the aftermath of a collision that claimed five young lives.
Ireland Records Rising Road Deaths in 2026
The tragedy has also reignited concerns about road safety across the Republic of Ireland.
Leo Lieghio, vice president of the Irish Road Victims Association, called for greater urgency in tackling dangerous behaviour on Irish roads.
According to figures cited in the BBC report, 123 people had died on roads in the Republic of Ireland in 2026, which was 18 more than at the same point in 2025.
Lieghio said the consequences of road deaths extend well beyond those directly involved, affecting families and communities for years.
He also called for stronger consequences, early intervention and structured programmes aimed at young people involved in dangerous or criminal behaviour on the roads.
Community Mourns Five Young Victims
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief in the communities connected to the teenagers.
The parish priest of Athy, Fr Seamus McEntee, said his thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected. He said he had travelled along the same stretch of motorway only hours before the crash.
He described the emotions among people he had spoken to as a mixture of sadness, anger, compassion and grief.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing, while questions about Garda pursuit policy and training are likely to remain part of the public debate.
Comprehensive FAQ
What happened in the M9 motorway crash in Ireland?
Five teenagers were killed in a head-on collision on the M9 motorway in County Kildare early Sunday morning. The crash occurred after a car travelled in the wrong direction on the motorway.
Where did the M9 crash happen?
The collision happened on the M9 northbound between Junction 3 and Junction 4 in County Kildare, at about 03:00 local time.
Who were the five teenagers killed in the M9 crash?
The teenagers have been named locally as Joe Carthy, Alex McCarthy, Kamil Pustkowski, Jeremy O’Brien and Jack Kennedy.
Were Gardaí pursuing the car before the crash?
The Garda Representative Association said Gardaí had attempted to stop the vehicle on several occasions. Officers reportedly deployed stinger devices before being instructed to disengage after the car took evasive action.
Why were Gardaí told to disengage?
According to the Garda Representative Association, roads policing officers do not currently have pursuit training. The association said officers were instructed by the command and control centre to disengage after the vehicle took evasive action.
Do Garda roads policing officers have pursuit training?
The GRA says roads policing officers do not have pursuit training. The issue has subsequently come under renewed scrutiny following the fatal M9 crash.
Will Gardaí receive pursuit training?
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, said the Garda Commissioner has stated that pursuit training will be introduced this year.
How many people were injured in the M9 crash?
Four people were injured in the collision. They include three women and a seven-year-old boy.
What condition are the injured victims in?
Two women are in critical condition, while another woman and the seven-year-old boy are reported to be in serious condition.
How many road deaths have occurred in Ireland in 2026?
The BBC report cited 123 road deaths in the Republic of Ireland so far in 2026, which was 18 more than at the same point in 2025.
Why is Garda pursuit training an issue in Ireland?
The Garda Representative Association says the lack of pursuit training creates a significant operational shortfall when officers encounter vehicles attempting to evade police. The M9 crash has intensified calls for the issue to be addressed.
What did the Garda Representative Association say about the crash?
The GRA said officers followed existing procedures by disengaging after the vehicle took evasive action. It also said the officers who attended the crash scene could require counselling for months or years because of the psychological impact.
Is the M9 crash investigation complete?
The supplied report does not state that the investigation has been completed. It says An Garda Síochána had been contacted for comment, while debate continues over the circumstances surrounding the crash and Garda pursuit procedures.