M9 CRASH INVESTIGATION CLEARS GARDAÍ — WATCHDOG FINDS OFFICERS ACTED WITHIN THE LAW BEFORE FIVE TEENS DIED

A police watchdog has found that Gardaí acted appropriately and within the law in the events leading up to the fatal M9 crash in County Kildare that claimed the lives of five teenagers.

The independent finding by Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, follows an investigation into Garda interactions with the BMW shortly before the devastating head-on collision on August 16, 2026.

Five teenage boys died in the crash, while four people travelling in the other vehicle were seriously injured.

FIVE TEENAGERS KILLED IN M9 COLLISION

The five victims were identified as Joey “Joe” Carthy, 15, Alex McCarthy, 17, Jack Kennedy, 17, Kamil Pustkowski, 17, and Jeremy O’Brien, 18.

The BMW they were travelling in entered the M9 motorway travelling against the direction of traffic before colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle near Moone, County Kildare.

Three women and a seven-year-old boy travelling in the other vehicle were seriously injured.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the local communities of Athy, Carlow and Limerick.

WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE CRASH?

Fiosrú’s investigation examined what happened between Gardaí and the BMW before the collision.

According to the watchdog, Gardaí had been following the vehicle for a short period while it was on the N78 in Athy.

Permission to continue the pursuit was granted by the Garda Control Room.

However, after the BMW entered the M9 dual carriageway travelling in the wrong direction, the Garda vehicle terminated the pursuit.

The Garda Control Room subsequently confirmed that the pursuit should not continue.

Other Garda units attempted to position a stopping device at an appropriate location.

But the BMW made a number of U-turns before eventually colliding with the oncoming vehicle.

FIOSRÚ REVIEWS CCTV AND RADIO TRANSMISSIONS

The investigation was launched following a mandatory referral from An Garda Síochána on August 16, the day of the crash.

Fiosrú examined the actions and decisions of Gardaí during their interactions with the vehicle, including the nature and extent of contact before the collision.

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and radio transmissions and received a briefing from a Forensic Collision Investigator.

After reviewing the evidence, Fiosrú concluded that the Gardaí involved had acted in accordance with the law and relevant Garda policies and procedures.

“ACTED APPROPRIATELY, WITHIN THE LAW”

Police Ombudsman Emily Logan said the investigation was independent of Gardaí and was intended to establish what happened in the period leading up to the collision.

She said the investigation found that Gardaí “acted appropriately, within the law, and in line with relevant policies and procedures.”

Fiosrú explained that when a death occurs following contact with Gardaí, a referral to the watchdog is mandatory.

The investigation therefore focused specifically on the conduct and decisions of Gardaí — rather than determining the broader cause of the road collision.

THE WIDER CRASH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Fiosrú finding does not establish why the BMW entered the M9 travelling against traffic, nor does it determine every circumstance surrounding the collision.

An Garda Síochána confirmed that its investigation into the wider circumstances of the fatal road crash remains ongoing.

The Garda statement welcomed the Fiosrú finding and said the force would continue to support members who attended the scene.

Commissioner Justin Kelly also highlighted the difficult circumstances Gardaí face when dealing with vehicles travelling in dangerous circumstances while trying to protect other road users.

A DEVASTATING LOSS FOR FOUR FAMILIES

For the families of Joey, Alex, Jack, Kamil and Jeremy, however, the official review cannot change the devastating outcome of August 16.

Five young lives were lost in a matter of moments.

Four people in the other vehicle survived but suffered serious injuries and continue their recovery.

Fiosrú’s investigation closes one specific question surrounding the tragedy: whether Garda actions before the collision complied with the law and relevant procedures.

The wider circumstances of the crash remain under investigation as the affected families continue to deal with an unimaginable loss.