Several people have died and four others were injured, including a child, after a car drove the wrong way along a motorway in Ireland early this morning. The head-on collision occurred on the northbound stretch of the M9 road in Co Kildare at approximately 3am, according to Gardaí, the Irish police force.
Fatalities and Injuries Confirmed
The crash involved a car traveling in the wrong direction and another vehicle, resulting in multiple fatalities at the scene. Four individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment. Among the injured is a child who remains in a serious condition.
The female driver and front passenger of the second car, both in their 30s, are in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital. A woman in her 20s, who was a rear-seat passenger, is also in a serious condition at St Luke’s General Hospital.
Investigation Underway
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the incident, which took place on a major route linking Dublin to the southeast. The road was closed for several hours to facilitate emergency services and forensic examination, causing significant disruption to early morning traffic.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending formal identification and notification of next of kin. The cause of the wrong-way driving has not been determined, and investigators are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Emergency services, including ambulance crews and fire services, responded to the scene. The injured were taken to hospitals in Dublin and Kilkenny for treatment. The child's condition is described as serious but stable, while the two adults remain critical.
This incident adds to concerns over road safety on Irish motorways, where wrong-way collisions are rare but often severe. Gardaí continue to appeal for information from the public to aid their investigation. The road has since reopened, but traffic delays are expected to persist during the morning commute.
