FIVE TEENAGE BOYS DIE IN HEAD-ON M9 MOTORWAY COLLISION

Five teenage boys were killed when their car travelling the wrong way down the M9 motorway in County Kildare collided head-on with another vehicle at approximately 03:00 on Sunday. The car was travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 4 at Moone when it struck the second vehicle. Three women and a boy in the second car were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Gardaí confirmed no pursuit was taking place before the collision. Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out on the five boys' bodies.

The vehicle the teenage boys were in was a stolen car linked to earlier burglary attempts, according to one report. The occupants of the second car, described by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly as family members travelling innocently, were reportedly on their way to the airport for a holiday. Kelly characterised the incident as involving "irresponsible and dangerous driving" and stated that such behaviour was sometimes undertaken for social media engagement. Forensic investigators completed their examination of the scene. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

The Republic of Ireland's police ombudsman, Fiosrú, is carrying out its own investigation into the crash. Councillor Ivan Keatley of Fine Gael said the condition of both vehicles at the scene indicated the severity of the collision. Kelly acknowledged that police face challenging circumstances in responding to such incidents whilst considering the safety of all road users.