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A teenager was seriously injured when he was flung from a car in a high speed collision moments after he and pals allegedly fled from gardai who were investigating a burglary.

According to sources, the group of four were suspected of being on their way back from a burglary in Athy, Co Kildare.

A source told Dublin Live: "This group were on their way back from a burglary in Athy. They fled that scene but were spotted by witnesses who called gardai.

"Gardai were sitting in wait. The group were trying to get away via the Johnstown exit but didn't make it."

The injured 17-year-old, who is a member of the Travelling Community, was rushed to Tallaght Hospital after the crash which occurred on the N7 this evening.

Gardai had been following the vehicle on the N7 and pulled it over as part of an investigation into a prominent burglary gang.

After being pulled over by gardai, the vehicle fled once the officers exited their car.

The car drove off at pace before crashing into an SUV and then a roadside barrier.

Three teenagers were then arrested at the scene by gardai on suspicion of burglary and taken to Naas Garda Station.

A number of garda units, ambulances and fire brigade attended the scene.

The incident happened between Junction 8 Johnstown and Junction 7 Kill, with the road currently closed to inbound traffic.

A large presence of Emergency Service vehicles are currently at the scene of the crash on the N7 Limerick to Dublin Road northbound.

A spokesman for Dublin Fire Brigade said: "Naas Rd N7 Inbound currently closed J8 Johnstown as we deal with a road traffic incident."

An AA Roadwatch spokesperson added: "Heavy delays n/bound from after J11 M9 to J8 Johnstown due to collision. Local diversion in place via the J8 slip roads."

The occupants of the third car are believed to be uninjured.

A garda spokesman said: "Three males have been arrested by Gardai following a burglary in Athy on the 28 December 2017.

"At approximately 3pm Gardai received a report of a burglary at house in Athy. The intruders were disturbed and fled from the scene in a waiting car when the occupants of the house returned home.

"During a follow up operation members of a Garda anti-burglary unit intercepted a car on the N7 Naas Road at approximately 3.45pm. The car initially stopped for Gardaí but when approached took off a speed in the direction of Dublin.

"Moments later this car was involved in a collision with a second car at on the N7 at junction 8, Johnstown. One of the occupants of the car, a man in his teens, injured in the collision was taken by Ambulance to Tallaght Hospital. (His condition is described as serious.)

"Three other youths, all male and understood to be in their teens, were arrested during follow up searches near the crash site a short time later.

"All three are currently detained for questioning under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Naas Garda Station.

"The driver and sole occupant of the second car was taken to Naas Hospital with minor injuries.

"The scene of the collision is currently being examined and traffic diversions remain in place. The collision has been referred to G.S.O.C. (Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission) for investigation.

"Investigations are ongoing and updates will follow."