Man remanded over Limerick hit-and-run that killed nurse

Updated / Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026 13:27

A 19-year-old man has been remanded to prison for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a fatal hit-and-run that killed a nurse earlier this year.

Keelan O'Connell, of Scanlon Park in Castleconnell, Co Limerick, who was also under the influence of drugs at the time, admitted the charge before Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Áine O'Reilly, from Pallasgreen in Co Limerick, died instantly when O'Connell collided with a car that was forced into the path of Ms O'Reilly's car as she travelled to work at Shannondoc in Co Limerick.

The fatal collision occurred at N24, Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick, on Friday 13 February.

Investigating garda Tony Burke, of Henry Street Garda Station, told another court previously that on the night O'Connell was driving a "high powered" Volkswagen Golf "at excess speed" when he attempted to perform a "dangerous manoeuvre" in the moments prior to the collision.

Mr Burke said O'Connell collided with a Peugeot car as he attempted to undertake it, forcing it into the path of Ms O'Reilly, who was driving a Nissan Micra.

The garda said O'Connell "fled the scene on foot" without offering assistance to Ms O'Reilly or the Peugeot driver.

O'Connell handed himself in to gardaí a few days later and admitted during interviews under caution that he had been high on "cannabis" and "fast gas", said Mr Burke.

Ms O'Reilly suffered "catastrophic injuries" and died at the scene, he added.

After his arrest O'Connell was refused bail after strenuous objections were put forward in court from Mr Burke.

Mr Burke told the bail hearing that in his view, O'Connell would continue to commit further serious crimes, including dangerous driving.

He said O'Connell would pose "a further risk of loss of life" to citizens, if he was allowed bail.

Although the collision occurred at 11.10pm, poor visibility was not a factor, the hearing heard.

Mr Burke said CCTV footage, dash cam footage as well as statements provided from independent witnesses provided "strong" evidence against O’Connell.

O'Connell told gardaí he won the car in a raffle a few days prior to the fatal collision.

He did not make any reply when charged at Limerick District Court earlier this year.

O'Connell pleaded guilty to eight charges in total, including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to the Peugeot driver, hit-and-run charges of failing to remain at the scene, failing to offer assistance and failing to report the collision to gardaí, as well as driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Judge Daly remanded O'Connell in continuing custody for a sentence hearing in November.