FIVE teenage boys have been killed when their car ploughed into a family on their way to the airport.

The tragedy happened at 3am this morning when a BMW car drove on the wrong side of the M9 motorway at Moone, Co Kildare.

It’s understood the vehicle had earlier failed to stop for Gardai and entered the motorway in the wrong direction.

Gardai suspect the vehicle was stolen but have yet to confirm its status. After entering the motorway, the BMW crashed into a Hyundai.

Four occupants of the BMW were pronounced dead, while gardai later located the body of a fifth occupant at the scene.

Detectives are also trawling through social media videos to establish if any videos of the vehicle had been posted before the crash.

Gardai are trying to establish if they are part of the ‘Lucky Dip’ burglary and car theft gang.

It’s understood Gardai will have to rely on DNA testing to formally identify the crash victims.

The road was sealed off today as Garda forensic experts examined the scene.

We also understand that a number of concerned parents contacted Gardai this morning after failing to establish the whereabouts of their teenage children.

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Gardai have also spoken to two eyewitnesses about the crash.

One source said: “This is a terrible tragedy in which five people are dead and others are fighting for their lives.

“The crash happened when the BMW drove on the wrong side of the motorway and into oncoming traffic.

“It’s a miracle others weren’t killed in the incident.”

The driver of the Hyundai, 40, her front seat passenger, 30s, and a back seat boy, 7, are all members of the same family, and from Co Carlow.

Another woman, 20s, was also a back seat passenger. Images from the scene show a suitcase by the roadside.

All four occupants of the car, who were on their way to Dublin airport for a holiday, were brought to hospital after suffering serious injuries.

The driver of the Hyuandi and her front seat passenger remain in a critical condition at Tallaght Hospital.

Both the young woman and the boy in the back of the car remain in a serious condition in hospital.

The boy is currently being treated at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin.

In a statement, gardai this evening said: “The bodies of 5 teenage males, all occupants of one vehicle, have now been removed from the scene and taken to Naas General Hospital where post mortems will take place.”

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the head-on collision as “horrific”.

And the top cop condemned “reckless behaviour” of cases involving vehicles being driven on the wrong side of motorways for social media likes.

Commissioner Kelly said: “My thoughts are with those injured in this morning’s collision on the M9. These family members were travelling innocently when they were struck by a vehicle being driven the wrong way down the motorway.

“This horrific incident, following the recent collision on the M50, shows how irresponsible and dangerous driving on the wrong-side of the motorway is.

“That, of course, should be self-evident, but what makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social media likes regardless of the potentially devastating impact it might have on innocent people and themselves.

“As this particular incident has been referred to Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, I am constrained in what I can say in detail about this incident, but I know that Gardaí do what they can to stop such vehicles while also taking into consideration all other road users. Gardaí are put in a really challenging situation dealing with such incidents. As always, An Garda Síochána will fully cooperate with the Police Ombudsman investigation which I hope is completed as expeditiously as possible.

“My thoughts are also with all members of An Garda Síochána and the emergency services who had to deal with this awful incident this morning. Such incidents show the difficult work we ask our Gardaí to undertake every day to keep our communities safe.”

Gardai have urged anyone with information to come forward.

A garda spokesperson added: “Gardai in Athy are investigating all the circumstances of a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the M9 Northbound at Junction 3 in the early hours of August 16 at 3am.

“Gardai 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 and 4 when a head-on collision occurred with a second car.

“Gardai are appealing for any persons who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.

“Gardai are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2 and 3am and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to come forward.”

The crash is also being investigated by the Garda Ombudsman, Fiosru.

The group’s on-call team of investigators attended the scene.

A spokesperson said: “In line with its statutory remit, Fiosru’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with Gardai where a member of the public has died or has been seriously injured.

“A referral does not necessarily mean a Garda or Gardai have been accused of wrongdoing.

“Instead, it means that Fiosru should independently investigate the incident to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or Gardai may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to a person.”

The tragedy comes just a week after a driver was treated in hospital when a car with eight teenagers inside rammed into his vehicle when they drove on the wrong side of the M50.

Two Gardai were also treated in hospital when their car was in collision with a stolen vehicle in Finglas, north Dublin.

And Conor Farrelly, whose brother Michael was killed when he was hit with a stolen vehicle in north Dublin on July 17, 2024, told of his shock at the latest incident.

He added: “I have been saying this for a long time that lives would be lost if the trend of driving on the wrong side of the motorway continued.

“This is the second time in a week this has happened and thankfully the young man who was injured last week when his car was hit head on has survived.

“The people who continue to drive recklessly like this are totally out of control.

“Those who drive recklessly like this know the Gardai won’t go after them because it’s just too dangerous.

“Something needs to be done about this because we can’t have any more people losing their lives.”

The Road Safety Authority last night extended its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who caught up in the tragic collision in Co Kildare.

A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are also with those who have been seriously injured, and with their families and loved ones, at this deeply difficult time.

“Every road death is a tragedy and behind every person who loses their life is a family, friends and a community left to deal with the devastating consequences. No journey should end with a family waiting for someone who will never come home.”

Nuala Carey, Interim Director of Partnerships & External Affairs at the Road Safety Authority, added: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy. Behind every road death is a person who will not return home to their family and loved ones, and a profound loss that will forever change the lives of those left behind.

“While the circumstances of this collision are a matter for the ongoing Garda investigation, we must continue to work collectively to prevent further loss of life on our roads. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in making our roads safer.”

Local politicians spoke of the shock in the area.

Athy Labour councillor Mark Leigh told us: “It’s just dreadful. I believe there were two young boys or teenagers from Athy involved.

“It’s devastating for their families, it’s also devastating for the family that were travelling to the airport for a holiday.

“It’s an absolutely senseless and tragic event and something we’re not really used to here in south Kildare.

“Everybody just thinks it’s senseless, you’re young and stupid, and that’s what’s happened now.

“There are lot of people really really angry over what happened, but I think some of the families involved, people are shocked too.”

Carlow councillor Paul Doogue of Fine Gael told the Irish Sun: “It was horrific, whose wrong, whose not wrong, is up to An Garda Siochana, nobody knows. “Its tragic obviously, very very tragic what’s happened.

“Your heart would go out to anyone involved, the fatalities and to the injured as well. All you can do is try and wish them a speedy recovery.

“Your thoughts and prayers would be with each and every one of them. My thoughts and prayers are with them, I wish them a speedy recovery.

“And at this stage, everybody would be thinking of them and their families.”

Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh said: “People woke this morning to the devastating news of lives lost and others critically injured following a collision on the M9 motorway.

“The scenes are absolutely catastrophic, and my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who have lost their lives, and for those who remain in a critical condition in hospital,” she said.

“My heart also goes out to the first responders and all of those working in our emergency services who were met with the most horrific of scenes this morning.

“This loss of life is colossal and the effect those losses will have on their friends and families is incalculable.”