- From: Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
- Published on: 17 August 2026
- Last updated on: 17 August 2026
Yesterday we saw outrageously dangerous criminal behaviour by five teenagers that resulted in them losing their own lives, and caused serious injuries to four innocent people who were lawfully driving on the M9.
I want to wish the injured family members a full and speedy recovery.
I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms that reckless criminal behaviour. Those who deliberately drive vehicles the wrong way down a motorway are engaged in behaviour that is lethal and is a serious threat to other road users.
I want to thank members of An Garda Siochana and the emergency services who attended the scene to respond.
Today I again spoke with the Garda Commissioner and assured him that he will receive whatever resources the Gardaí need to confront this threat to public safety. The Gardaí were prepared to respond to the M9 incident using stinger equipment and other capabilities.
The Commissioner confirmed that he is introducing Garda pursuit training this year. This is the first time Gardaí will receive this specialist training. However, no matter what laws, training or equipment are available it will always be the case that a Garda must use his or her discretion to decide whether to pursue a car driving the wrong way on a motorway.
I have engaged with my colleagues Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Sean Canney today on this issue. We must consider the introduction of a separate offence in respect of individuals who make a deliberate decision to drive their vehicles the wrong way on a motorway. This is using a vehicle as a weapon. It is a lethal form of behaviour that can result in deaths and serious injuries as we witnessed on the M9.
I also want to strengthen the protection available to members of An Garda Siochana when they are pursuing vehicles that will not stop in the course of their duty.
Events such as this emphasise that social media companies have a responsibility to enforce their own code of conduct which prohibits content that glorifies criminal behaviour.
