According to sources with knowledge of Garda operations, the majority of teenagers injured in a head-on crash on the M50 in south Dublin have been released from hospital. A stolen Toyota Yaris carrying eight teenage boys was driven the wrong way along the motorway at junction 12 near Firhouse at 5:30am on Sunday, August 9, resulting in a multi-vehicle collision that hospitalized nine people in total, including the driver of a second vehicle.
M50 Wrong-Way Crash Details and Hospitalizations
The five-seater Toyota Yaris had been stolen from the Rathmines area of Dublin and spotted by gardaí in multiple locations across south and west Dublin throughout Sunday morning, according to official reports. The vehicle entered the southbound lanes by driving down the up ramp at Junction 12, where it collided head-on with a car travelling on the correct side of the road. Sources with knowledge of Garda operations confirmed that most of those teenagers have since been discharged, though initial concerns focused heavily on the health of one 13-year-old occupant who was hospitalized in critical condition.
Impact on Motorists and Independent Police Oversight
The driver of the second vehicle, a man in his 20s, sustained serious injuries in the head-on impact. His mother, Sara Jane Fox, told Red FM that he “walked out” of the car after the crash and was “up and talking” within days. A family member, Kayleigh Fox, launched an online fundraising campaign to ease financial pressures while he undergoes months of physiotherapy and ongoing medical appointments. In response to the incident, Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, confirmed it received a referral from gardaí. According to Fiosrú, the independent investigation is standard statutory procedure for incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public suffers serious harm or death, though the referral does not imply any wrongdoing by gardaí.
Did You Know?
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses, specifically asking motorists who travelled on the M50 between Junction 14 and Junction 11 northbound or southbound between 5:00am and 5:30am on Sunday, August 9, to come forward with dashcam footage. Anyone with information can contact Tallaght Garda Station at 01 666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the M50 wrong-way crash happen?
The collision occurred southbound at Junction 12 near Firhouse in south Dublin.
How many people were hospitalized?
Nine people were hospitalized, including eight teenage boys traveling in the stolen Toyota Yaris and a man in his 20s driving the second vehicle.
Are any investigating bodies reviewing the incident independently?
Yes. Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, received a referral from gardaí to conduct an independent investigation, which is standard when a member of the public is seriously injured following contact with police.
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