UPDATED: Number of people killed, four injured following Kildare motorway collision
Emergency services at the scene of the collision this morning on the M9 Photos: Aisling Hyland
A number of fatalities have been reported in Kildare following a collision on the M9.
Gardaí in Athy are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal road traffic collision at Moone that occurred on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 (Athy) in the early hours of this morning Sunday at approximately 3am.
Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway of the M9.
The vehicle was driving on the M9 between junction 3 sand 4 when a head on collision occurred with a second car.
An undisclosed number of fatalities have occurred. The Irish Times has reported that gardaí fear that four people may have lost their lives.
The female driver and front passenger, both aged in her 30s of the second car have been removed from the scene to Tallaght University Hospital and both remain in critical condition.
A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s was taken to St Luke's General Hospital and is in a serious condition.
The third passenger, a child, has been removed to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.
The section of the M9 from Junction 3 to Junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed with local diversions in place.
A Garda Forensic Collision examination will take place in due course.
Gardaí are ,appealing for any persons who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.
Gardaí are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2am and 3am this morning and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
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.
Policing watchdog Fiosrú has announced it has also been notified of this incident in accordance with Section 203 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
Fiosrú’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.
A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing.
Instead, it means that Fiosrú should independently investigate the incident to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.
