Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9436Distracted driving (alleged) · Co. Kilkenny

Gardaí criticise headlight flashing after distracted driver incident on M9

A man is alleged to have used a phone for over 15km at motorway speed on the M9 in County Kilkenny, according to a complaint from another motorist, and the incident date is not given. Gardaí say the driver was eventually intercepted and was not caught in the act, and he was issued a fixed charge notice. On 24 May 2026, Kilkenny gardaí published a statement criticising motorists who flash headlights to warn drivers of garda checkpoints or patrols, citing this M9 incident as an example. The fixed charge notice is the latest reported development.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The offence is alleged distracted driving, reported by a complainant who said the driver used a phone for over 15km at motorway speed.
Where
The incident took place on the M9 in County Kilkenny.
When
The incident date is not given in the sources; the article was published on 24 May 2026.
Other details
  • The driver overtook the complainant's vehicle and was described as clearly distracted to a high degree.
  • The driver left the motorway and then rejoined it.
  • The garda made his way to Junction 9 at Danesfort while speaking hands-free to the caller.
  • Other motorists flashed headlights to warn oncoming drivers of the garda presence.
  • Gardaí said headlight flashing could hide offences such as burglary, drug trafficking or car theft.
Investigation
The motorist was eventually intercepted.
Charges
The motorist was not caught in the act and was issued a fixed charge notice.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe complainant reported that the driver used a phone for over 15km at motorway speed. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place on the M9. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe garda made his way to Junction 9 at Danesfort while speaking hands-free to the caller. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe motorist was eventually intercepted. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe driver overtook the complainant's vehicle and was described as clearly distracted to a high degree. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherOther motorists flashed headlights to warn oncoming drivers of the garda presence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe offending driver left the motorway and then rejoined it. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe motorist was not caught in the act and was issued with a fixed charge notice. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherGardaí said headlight flashing could hide offences such as burglary, drug trafficking or car theft. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 May2026
    Otherkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Kilkenny gardaí slam warning flashes after recent motorway incident

    Article covers one motorway incident and the garda response, which was a fixed charge notice. It is mainly a warning about headlight flashing. No incident date is given.

    suspect, male