Wrong-way driver kills multiple, injures child in head-on crash on M9

As of April 10, 2025, Irish police (Gardaí) have confirmed that multiple people died and several others were seriously injured in a head-on crash triggered by a car driving the wrong way on the M9 motorway in County Kildare. The collision occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday when a southbound vehicle entered the northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 4, slamming into an oncoming car.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near junction 3. Gardaí said the female driver and front-seat passenger of the second car — both in their 30s — remain in critical condition at Tallaght University Hospital. A female rear-seat passenger in her 20s is in serious condition at St Luke’s General Hospital. A child, whose age has not been released, was taken to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin in serious condition.

The driver of the wrong-way vehicle died at the scene, and other fatalities have been confirmed, though Gardaí have not released exact numbers. The M9 remains closed in both directions between junctions 3 and 4, with local diversions in place. A forensic collision examination is underway, and Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.

Independent oversight triggered

Ireland’s police oversight body, Fiosrú (the Office of the Police Ombudsman), has launched an independent investigation. A spokesperson said the referral was made because the incident involved contact with Gardaí where a member of the public died or was seriously injured — a standard procedure. The statement clarified that the referral does not imply wrongdoing by any officer but ensures an impartial review.

Expert context on wrong-way crashes

Dr. Liam O’Connor, a road safety researcher at University College Dublin, noted that wrong-way collisions are among the deadliest due to high closing speeds. “The M9’s limited lighting and lack of median barriers in that stretch may have contributed to the severity,” he said. According to the Road Safety Authority, this is the third fatal wrong-way crash on Irish motorways in 2025, sparking renewed calls for better signage and rumble strips.

Gardaí are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras and urge anyone with dashcam recordings between junctions 2 and 5 on the M9 around 2:45 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. Sunday to come forward. No further updates on the victims’ identities have been released as next of kin are informed.

The crash has reignited debate