A woman in her 80s sustained serious injuries in a five-car accident on the M1 motorway. The collision occurred earlier today on the northbound side. The incident took place between junctions 7, Julianstown, and 8, Duleek in County Louth, shortly before noon.
M1 Motorway Incident Details
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene. The woman was transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for medical treatment. Due to the severity of the crash, the M1 was fully closed to facilitate a technical examination by the Gardaí.
Traffic Disruption and Delays
The road has since reopened, but significant delays continue to affect commuters. The closure rerouted traffic off the motorway, causing increased congestion on local and regional roads, particularly those leading to Drogheda. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
- Time of incident: Shortly before 12 PM
- Location: M1 northbound, between junction 7 and junction 8
- Injuries: Serious, involving a woman in her 80s
- Status: Road reopened after technical examination
Motorist Concerns
Local TD Ged Nash expressed concerns about the chaotic situation. Frustrated drivers reportedly attempted to drive the wrong way on the hard shoulder to return to Junction 7. Nash emphasized the importance of the victims’ safety and highlighted the need for better communication.
He criticized the absence of advance warning signs at junctions 6 and 7, stating that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) should have informed motorists earlier. In light of the incident, he has reached out to TII and other agencies for further clarification and potential responses.
Nash proposed that once the road reopens fully, tolls should be lifted to ease pressure on Drogheda’s traffic. Road users are urged to plan for longer travel times and adhere to instructions from emergency and traffic management personnel.
