Gardaí have confirmed a ‘number of fatalities’ have occured following a head-on crash on the M9 motorway in Kildare.
The fatal road traffic collision occurred on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 near Moone, outside Athy at approximately 3:00am.
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.
‘A number of fatalities have occurred and no further details are available at this time’..
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 2:00am and 3:00am this morning Sunday 16th August, 2026 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.
