Case No. 0218Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Kerry · 26 Sep 2026
17-year-old Rory O'Connor killed in hit-and-run at Listowel Races, Co Kerry
Rory O'Connor, 17, from Athea in west Limerick, was struck by a van and pronounced dead at the scene on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, Co Kerry, shortly after 3am on Saturday 26 September 2026. The van failed to remain at the scene, but Gardaí located it the following morning and arrested a man in his 30s. Alan Browne, 37, of Birmingham, originally from Skehenerin, Listowel, was charged with four counts including dangerous driving causing death, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, no insurance, and no driving licence. He appeared before Cork District Court on 28 September, made no reply to the charges, and was remanded in custody by Judge David Waters to appear before Listowel District Court on 1 October 2026.
- Reported26 Sep
- Arrested28 Sep
- Charged27 Sep
3 reports - In court28 Sep
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Rory O'Connor, 17, was struck by a van on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, Co Kerry, and pronounced dead at the scene; the van failed to remain at the scene.
- Where
- The incident occurred on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, Co Kerry.
- When
- The collision occurred shortly after 3am on Saturday, 26 September 2026, though one article gives the date as 25 September.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found the van on Saturday morning and arrested a man in his 30s, who was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 in a Garda station in the Kerry division.
- The N69 between Cahirdown Roundabout and Derry was closed for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, and Gardaí appealed for dash-cam or mobile phone footage from the area between 2:30am and 4:00am.
- Charges
- Alan Browne, 37, of Elmsdale Crescent, Birmingham, UK, originally from Skehenerin, Listowel, was charged with four counts: dangerous driving causing death, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, no insurance, and no driving licence.
- In court
- Browne appeared before Cork District Court on 28 September 2026, made no reply when the charges were put to him, and no bail application was made.
- Judge David Waters remanded Browne in custody to appear before Listowel District Court on 1 October 2026.
- Other details
- Rory O'Connor was a fifth-year student at a secondary school in Abbeyfeale, Limerick, and was celebrating his 17th birthday at the Listowel Races the day before the collision.
- The local coroner was notified.
73 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA pedestrian was killed after being struck by a van in Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe van driver failed to remain at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA pedestrian in his teens was killed in a hit-and-run road collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe male pedestrian aged in his late teens was pronounced deceased at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe van involved failed to remain at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe male pedestrian in his late teens was pronounced deceased at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe van failed to remain at the scene of the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was pronounced dead at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was a fifth-year student at a secondary school in Abbeyfeale in Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was a keen hurling supporter at local and national level (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was struck by a van shortly after 3am on Saturday on the N69 at Dromin Upper (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was pronounced dead at the scene (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was a fifth-year student at a secondary school in Abbeyfeale (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was a keen hurling supporter (irishtimes.com)
- whatRory O'Connor was struck by a van which failed to remain at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was a fifth year student at a secondary school in Abbeyfeal in Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor played with Athea United AFC from a young age (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor played with Templeglantine GAA and Bord na nOg (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory's father posted a video of Rory reading a poem in 2022 at Dr Kieran Murphy's retirement (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory will lay in repose at St. Bartholomew's Church, Athea on Wednesday, September 30 from 6pm to 8pm (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory will be interred at Holycross Cemetery, Athea (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was a 17-year-old fifth-year student at Coláiste Íde agus Iosef (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory O'Connor was killed after being struck by a van (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRory was celebrating his 17th birthday at the time of the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe hit-and-run took place on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe N69 was closed between Cahirdown Roundabout and Derry for technical examination (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe pedestrian was struck by a van on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place on the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAlan Browne resides at Elmsdale Crescent, Birmingham, UK (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAlan Browne is originally from Skehenerin, Listowel, Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAlan Browne lives at Elmsdale Crescent, Birmingham, England (irishtimes.com)
- whereBrowne is originally from Skehenerin, Listowel (irishtimes.com)
- whereRory O'Connor was from Athea in west Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe crash occurred on the N69 Dromin Upper in Listowel (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAlan Browne lives at Elmsdale Crescent, Birmingham in the UK (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAlan Browne was originally from Skehenerin, Listowel, Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at the Listowel Races in Co Kerry (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred shortly after 3am on Saturday 26 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at approximately 3am on Saturday morning, 26 September. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred at approximately 3am on Saturday, 26 September 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHe was arrested and cautioned at 8.55pm on Sunday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe crash occurred shortly after 3am on Saturday, September 25 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on Saturday 26 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for witnesses and dash-cam or mobile phone footage from the N69 area between 2:30am and 4:00am (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the vehicle on Saturday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man in his 30s was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 in a Garda station in the Kerry division. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe N69 between Cahirdown Roundabout and the townland of Derry, Listowel, is closed for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with camera footage from the N69 near Dromin Upper between 2:30am and 4:00am on 26 September 2026 to make it available. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe N69 between Cahirdown Roundabout and Derry, Listowel was closed for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued an appeal to motorists who may have camera or dash cam footage of the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man arrested has since been charged. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBrowne faces four charges arising from the fatal collision (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBrowne is charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBrowne is charged with having no insurance and no driving licence at the relevant time (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe faces four charges arising from the fatal incident (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of proper control (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with driving with no insurance or driving licence (irishtimes.com)
- chargeAlan Browne has been charged in connection with the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeFour charges were brought against the accused (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear before Cork District Court on Monday morning at 10:30am. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBrowne appeared before Cork District Court on 28 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBrowne made no reply when the charge was put to him following a caution at 8.55pm (irishmirror.ie)
- courtNo bail application was made in the case (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge David Waters remanded Browne in custody to appear before Listowel District Court on 1 October (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtBrowne appeared before Cork District Court on Monday (irishtimes.com)
- courtNo application for bail was made during the hearing (irishtimes.com)
- courtAlan Browne appeared before Cork District Court on Monday morning (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAlan Browne was brought before Cork District Court on Monday 28 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAlan Browne was remanded in custody until 1 October 2026 at Listowel District Court (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe local coroner was notified. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBrowne made no reply when the charges were put to him (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Oct2026Dad of teen killed in 'hit-and-run' says he'd swap places to give him life
Article reports on the funeral of Rory O'Connor in Athea and the charging of Alan Browne with four counts including dangerous driving causing death at Cork District Court.
victim, Rory O'Connor, 17, male, irish (judged from name)Rory O'Connorsuspect, Alan Browne, 37, male, namedAlan Browne - 28 Sep2026'Heartbroken' dad of Limerick teen killed in Kerry crash pays emotional tribute
Adds that Alan Browne appeared before Cork District Court, confirms Rory was from Athea in west Limerick (not Co Kerry), details his school and sports affiliations, and provides funeral arrangements.
victim, Rory O'Connor, 17, male, irish (judged from name)Rory O'Connorsuspect, Alan Browne, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Browne - 28 Sep2026Man charged over hit-and-run in Kerry that killed Limerick teenager
Adds the full set of four charges (including DUI, no insurance, no licence), the court appearance at Cork District Court, remand to Listowel District Court on 1 October, the time of arrest (8.55pm Sunday), and further details about the victim (fifth-year student at Abbeyfeale, keen hurling supporter, celebrated 17th birthday the day before).
victim, 17, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, Alan Browne, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Browne - 28 Sep202637-year-old man charged after road collision claims life of teenager in Listowel
Adds details of the court appearance at Cork District Court, the four specific charges, Browne's origin from Skehenerin Listowel, Judge David Waters remanding him to Listowel District Court on 1 October, and personal details about Rory O'Connor including his school in Abbeyfeale and that he celebrated his 17th birthday the day before his death.
victim, 17, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, Alan Browne, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Browne - 28 Sep2026Gardai arrest man, 30s, after hit-and-run in early hours of the morning
Reports the arrest of the van driver and the closure of the N69 for technical examination; Gardaí issue a witness appeal for dash cam or mobile phone footage from the N69 near Dromin Upper between 2:30am and 4:00am on 26 September 2026.
victim, late teens, malesuspect, 30s, male - 27 Sep2026Man, 30s, due in court after teen pedestrian killed in Listowel hit-and-run
Confirms the man in his 30s has been charged and is due before Cork District Court on Monday 28 September 2026 at 10:30am.
victim, late teens, malesuspect, 30s, male - 26 Sep2026Pedestrian killed in Listowel hit-and-run as Gardai issue urgent witness appeal
Initial morning report of the hit-and-run; identifies the precise location as the N69 near Dromin Upper, Listowel, and notes the road closure for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
victimsuspect