Garda oversight body to discuss M9 crash and other dangerous driving incidents

The scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare where number of people died and others have been seriously injured after a head-on collision between two cars. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

The M9 motorway tragedy and other incidents of dangerous driving will be the only items on the agenda of the Policing and Community Safety Authority at a meeting tomorrow.

The oversight body said it will also discuss the issue with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at next month’s scheduled public meeting.

It said garda pursuit training and keeping people safe on the roads will form part of their discussions.

The development comes as acts of dangerous driving — including driving on the wrong side of the road — continue to occur, with the latest incident in Co Cork early on Tuesday.

Today saw the fifth, and final, funeral of the five youths who died after driving a BMW the wrong way down the M9 motorway in the early hours of Sunday, August 16.

The cortege for Jack Kennedy makes its way through Athy, Co Kildare, ahead of his funeral at St. Michael's Parish Church in the town. Picture: Evan Treacy/PA

This vehicle hit an oncoming car, carrying three sisters and a seven-year-old boy. They all sustained injuries, with two of the sisters, including the mother, suffering serious injuries.

Tuesday's funeral of Jack Kennedy, 17, from Athy, Co Kildare, followed that of Jeremy O’Brien, 18; and Alex McCarthy, 17, both from Carlow; Joey Carthy, 15, from Athy; and Kamil Pustkowski, 17, from Limerick.

Commissioner Kelly led condemnations of the boys’ actions and said that what made the reckless action “even more appalling” was that, in some cases, the behaviour was being done for “social media likes”.

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In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Policing and Community Safety Authority, which has replaced the Policing Authority, said: “The [PCSA] has noted with concern the recent incidents of dangerous driving seen on the M9, M50, and N3, to name a few.

“The authority will meet this Wednesday for a single-agenda-item meeting on this matter, and will also discuss it at the September Authority meeting with the Garda Commissioner.” 

It said that as part of its oversight function, the PCSA keeps informed of the training and development of garda personnel in areas such as “pursuit policy and training in roads policing units”.

It said it did this through engagement with the Commissioner and during station and specialist unit visits.

It said: “This oversight is of significant importance, given the key role gardaí play in keeping communities safe on our roads, and the authority will continue to oversee, assess, and engage on this matter.” 

Just days after the M9 tragedy, there was another incident of driving the wrong way along the motorway in north Dublin. In the early hours of last Thursday, August 20, joyriders drove the wrong way up the M50 and N3 before crashing.

On Sunday, August 9, a car carrying eight male teenagers collided with another car head-on as they drove the wrong way on the M50.

Meanwhile, minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Seán Canney, is due to host a meeting on motorway road safety this Friday.

The meeting will include senior officials from the Road Safety Authority, Gardaí, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as well as civil servants from the Departments of Transport and Justice.

“This is a complex issue, which has many causes, and will not be easily solved," Mr Canney said.

"It is important that we continue to work together and look at every practical measure available to make our motorways as safe as possible for everyone who uses them."