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Multiple dead and several injured in crash after car travels 'wrong way on motorway'

The Garda have reported a "number of fatalities" in a horror crash on a motorway in Co Kildare, Ireland, with several others, including a child, being seriously injured

[A major crash has occurred on a motorway in Ireland ]

A major crash has seen a 'number of fatalities' after a car was reportedly travelling the wrong way (file)

A number of people have died and others have been seriously injured in a crash on a motorway in Co Kildare, Irish police said.

The crash occurred on the M9 near Athy in Kildare shortly after 3am today (August 16). It followed calls to the Garda of a vehicle seen travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway. The vehicle was travelling between junctions 3 and 4 when it collided head-on with another car.

Garda have not confirmed the precise number of deaths in relation to the crash but said their had sadly been a "number of fatalities". Three adults and a child were also seriously injured in the crash, two of the injured have been described as being in a critical condition.

[Garda]

Garda confirmed that one of the victims, a child, is in a serious condition (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

The female driver of the second car and front passenger, both aged in their 30s, in have been taken to Tallaght University Hospital, and both remain in critical condition, reports Cork Beo.

A female rear-seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St Lukes General Hospital and is in a serious condition. The third passenger, a child, has been taken to the Childrens Health Ireland at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.

A Garda spokesperson said: "Garda in Athy are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 in the early hours of this morning, Sunday 16th August 2026, at approximately 3:00 am.

"Garda and emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M9.

[Motorway]

Reports of a car seen travelling in the wrong direction were reported before the crash (stock)(Image: Image: Mick O'Neill/Daily Mirror/Irish Daily Star.)

"The vehicle was driving on the M9 between junctions 3 and 4 when a head-on collision occurred with a second car. A number of fatalities have occurred, and no further details are available at this time.

"Garda are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2:00 am and 3:00 am this morning, Sunday 16th August, 2026 and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or the surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating Garda."

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.

Fiosr, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has been notified. A statement from Fiosr said: The referral was made following a fatal road traffic incident on the M9.

One of Fiosrs on-call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing. In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrs investigation relates to incidents involving contact with garda where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.

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