'It must stop': Taoiseach issues statement on 'horrific' M9 crash where Limerick teen died
‘There can be no tolerance for this reckless behaviour that we have seen on our roads recently’
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that there can be no tolerance for “reckless behaviour” on Irish roads following the death of five teenagers, one of which was from Limerick, on the M9 this past Sunday.
In a statement this afternoon, the Taoiseach said he was both “shocked and saddened” upon learning of the “horrific” road crash that took place in Kildare.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “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.”
It was the Taoiseach’s view that five teenagers have lost their lives as a result of this and that “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,” he concluded.
The Taoiseach confirmed that he will be speaking to the Minister for Justice and to Gardai in relation to this matter and also thanked first responders who carried out their work in, what he described, as a “devastating scene.”
Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on the bodies of the five teenage boys killed in the head-on collision in Kildare when their car was driven the wrong way down the M9 motorway.
The vehicle was travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway when it hit a second car, carrying three women and a seven-year-old boy.
All four passengers of the car have been taken to hospital with serious and critical injuries.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was driving on the M9 motorway in the early hours of yesterday morning, and who may have video footage (including dashcam), to contact Athy Garda Station on 059 8634210 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.