Five teenagers killed in wrong-way crash in Ireland; social media link suspected

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed shock and sadness Monday after a collision killed five young people in a car driving the wrong way on the motorway. Authorities worry that social media is fueling this dangerous behavior.

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shocked and saddened

The teenagers died Sunday when their speeding car, traveling against traffic on the M9 motorway south of Dublin, struck another vehicle. Four occupants of the second car, including a child, suffered serious injuries. This tragedy follows another similar accident on a nearby motorway just days earlier, which injured nine people.

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to get 'likes' on social media

"There can be no tolerance" for such actions, Martin stated, particularly alarmed that some are committed "to get 'likes' on social media." He called the behavior "irresponsible and dangerous."

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There can be no tolerance

Irish police commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the practice as "irresponsible and dangerous." He noted that the pursuit of social media popularity drives some to act recklessly, disregarding the potentially devastating consequences for themselves and others. John Joe O'Connell, an Irish police union official, told RTE that young groups are using social media to outdo each other, filming police interactions and deliberately provoking high-speed chases. He added that they drive the wrong way on fast roads because police are instructed not to pursue vehicles in high-risk situations.

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irresponsible and dangerous