Irish police say deadly motorway stunts being staged for ‘social media likes’

In recent weeks, two head-on crashes near Dublin have raised concerns among Ireland's police force. The head of the Irish police, Justin Kelly, has warned that some young people are driving on the wrong side of the motorway in order to gain social media recognition. This reckless behavior resulted in the death of five male teenagers and seriously injured three women and a child in another vehicle.

Kelly made this statement in response to the incident, emphasizing the alarming nature of the dangerous stunts being performed. It is worth noting that police typically refrain from pursuing vehicles driving on the incorrect side of the road due to the inherent risk it poses to other drivers. The Garda Representative Association, which represents police officers, echoed Kelly's concern, stating that teenage boys and men are engaging in a pursuit, driving on the wrong side of a dual carriageway or motorway and recording it for social media likes.

Earlier in August, nine people were hurt in a similar incident when eight youths hit a car while driving the wrong way on Dublin's main ring road.