The mother of Kamil Pustkowski, a 17-year-old who died in a head-on collision on the M9 motorway, has stated that her son was not the leader of the group involved in the crash and was instead a vulnerable individual who was easily influenced.
Kamil, along with four other teenagers—Jack Kennedy, 17; Jeremy O’Brien, 18; Joe Carthy, 15; and 16-year-old Alex McCarthy—died when the car they were traveling in was driven the wrong way down the M9. A child and three women from another family sustained serious injuries in the collision and remain hospitalized. Funerals for Kamil, Joe Carthy, and Alex McCarthy have taken place, while a vigil was held for the victims of the other vehicle.
Emilia Pustkowska, Kamil's mother, expressed her sorrow for the families of the innocent victims and criticized the online backlash directed at her son and their families. She stated that Kamil was "lost" and "wasn’t able to lead himself," refuting claims that he was the leader of the group.
Ms. Pustkowska also revealed that authorities informed her Kamil was not the driver of the vehicle. While acknowledging his involvement in offenses, she asserted that he was not solely responsible and questioned why he was being blamed for everything when five teenagers were together. She noted that Kamil had been diagnosed with autism and struggled to make friends, suggesting he was groomed and taken advantage of by others.
She described her efforts to manage Kamil's behavior, including repeatedly attending court. Ms. Pustkowska stated that she had appealed to a judge for her son to be placed in custody, telling the judge, "I can’t keep him at home." She explained that despite Kamil pleading guilty to some offenses, his court cases were repeatedly adjourned, citing legal aid strikes and a lack of evidence readiness by gardaí as reasons for the delays.
Ms. Pustkowska detailed how her son's troubles began around two years prior, following a series of assaults and bullying incidents. Kamil started skipping school, and attempts to send him to relatives in Poland during the summer of 2025 did not curb his involvement, as others accessed his social media accounts to post videos of stolen cars. Upon his failure to return to school in September 2025, a garda juvenile officer and a restorative justice NGO began working with him. Despite enrolling him in an external course, it was short-lived.
Kamil developed new online acquaintances in Dublin and began disappearing. Ms. Pustkowska mentioned that even when she confiscated his phone and computer, he would obtain devices from others. In March, Kamil was hospitalized for two days following a severe assault in Dublin, but no prosecution resulted, as he was reportedly too afraid to provide a statement.
Ms. Pustkowska recounted her awareness of the crash through social media and later confirmation from gardaí that her son had died. She arrived in Ireland with Kamil's father, Adam Pustkowski, in 2007, the year before Kamil was born. Public records indicate that Adam Pustkowski was convicted in 2011 for soliciting a prostitute.
Now separated from her ex-husband for over a decade, Ms. Pustkowska has rebuilt her life, becoming a successful accountant and a respected member of the Polish community. She currently serves as the treasurer for a Polish school supported by the Embassy of Poland and is on the board of management for a national school in Limerick.
Recalling happier times, Ms. Pustkowska shared treasured memories of Kamil as a shy and timid child, including a photo from 2016 where he is seen with his face painted with the Polish flag. The last footage she has of him is of him leaving the house on the day of the crash. She hopes that those criticizing her do not experience similar circumstances, stating, "I knew as well. For them, I wish it stays like that."