The policing operation, with a focus on rural crime and human trafficking, was aimed at preventing and detecting criminality along the border and at preventing and disrupting the free movement of criminals based in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The collision occurred between Julianstown and Duleek, 2km south of Drogheda.

Phillip Smythe (84), from Armagh, died in hospital days after the collision near Lurgan in the early hours of September 21st, 2015.

Alan Melia (29) pleaded guilty to robbery at an Applegreen filling station in Co Down, and endangerment, dangerous driving and criminal damage at various locations on the M1 in Co Louth

The incident took place on the northbound section of the M1 motorway

The incident occurred on the early hours of Sunday morning on the M1 Northbound near Junction 5 in Lusk.

The driver and three passengers were treated for non-life threatening injuries at the scene.