Post-mortem examinations of five boys killed in crash to take place

Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out later on the bodies of five teenage boys killed when their car being driven the wrong way down a motorway in County Kildare collided head-on with another car.

Three women, two aged in their 30s and one in her 20s, and a child who were in the second car were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The crash happened between junction 3 and junction 4 of the M9 motorway, at Moone, at about 03:00 local time on Sunday.

The vehicle the teenage boys were in was travelling southbound on the northbound carriageway when it hit the second car.

Gardaí (Irish police) have said no pursuit was taking place before the collision occurred.

They have appealed for witnesses to the crash or anyone driving on that stretch of the motorway at the time to contact them.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described those injured in the crash as "family members" who were "travelling innocently" when they were struck by the car driving on the wrong side of the motorway.

He described it as a "horrific incident" and "irresponsible and dangerous driving".

"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."

Kelly added that police "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."

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh described the scenes as "absolutely catastrophic".

"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.