Taoiseach 'shocked and saddened' by fatal Kildare collision on the M9

An Taoiseach added that he plans to speak to both the Minister for Justice and gardaí in relation to the incident

By Ciarán Mather Published 17th Aug 2026, 15:40 BST Gardaí and emergency personnel at the scene of the incident on the M9 | PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT: AISLING HYLAND An Taoiseach added that he plans to speak to both the Minister for Justice and gardaí in relation to the incident Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

An Taoiseach Michéal Martin has said that he is 'shocked and saddened' by the recent fatal M9 collision in County Kildare.

In an official statement released today, the Fianna Fáil leader noted how all five occupants of one of the vehicles died in the collision, and a further four people, who were in another vehicle at the time, were left seriously injured by the collision.

Read More Kildare charity to host Halloween-themed fancy dress fundraiser 'Shocked and heartbroken': Mayor in Kildare calls for preventative measures following devastating M9 incident Gardaí ‘told not to pursue wrong-way driver’ before fatal crash – officer group Stage set for inaugural Féile Springsteen in Kildare Mr Martin elaborated: “This is the second appalling crash we’ve seen on our roads in a matter of days as a result of the reckless driving of a car on the wrong side of the motorway, endangering the lives of innocent road users.

“As the Garda Commissioner has said, it is an irresponsible and dangerous act, and it is shocking that in some cases it is being done for likes on social media.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family who have been injured; I wish them a full recovery.”

An Taoiseach Michéal Martin (Fianna Fáil) | PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT: OIREACHTAS.IE ‘EVERY DEATH ON OUR ROADS BRINGS UNTOLD GRIEF’

He continued: “The lives of five teenagers have also been lost as a result.

“Every death on our roads brings untold grief to families and communities.

"There can be no tolerance for this reckless behaviour that we have seen on our roads recently; it must stop.”

Mr Martin added: "I will be speaking to the Minister for Justice [Homes Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD] and to gardai in relation to this.”

He concluded his statement by thanking ‘the first responders who carried out their work in what was a devastating scene."