Ireland Case No. 8662Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Limerick · 20 Feb 2024
Limerick student jailed for dangerous driving causing two deaths
On 20 February 2024 a single-vehicle collision on the N69 at Ballyengland near Askeaton, Co Limerick, killed Darragh Dullea, 20, and Cillian Kirwan, 19, both college friends of the driver, Limerick student Patrick Carroll. Carroll told gardaí afterwards that he was driving, drinking and at fault, and a test taken within three hours of the collision found 222mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine. Carroll was convicted of dangerous driving causing the two deaths. On 9 July 2026 he was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Court to four years in prison and an eight-year driving ban, with six months more for driving over the alcohol limit.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced9 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Darragh Dullea, 20, from Clonakilty, Co Cork, and Cillian Kirwan, 19, from Piltown, Co Kilkenny, died.
- Both victims were college friends of the driver, Patrick Carroll, a Limerick student from Drinagh, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly.
- Where
- The single-vehicle collision happened on the N69 at Ballyengland near Askeaton, Co Limerick.
- When
- The collision happened on 20 February 2024, after the driver finished college lectures that day.
- Cause
- The driver had drinks in two pubs in Kildimo before the collision.
- Speed, alcohol consumption and loss of control of the vehicle were potential contributory factors.
- Within three hours of the collision the driver had 222mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine.
- Both men died of polytrauma consistent with a road traffic collision.
- Investigation
- After the collision the driver told gardaí that he was driving, drinking and at fault.
- Charges
- The driver was convicted of dangerous driving causing the deaths of his two college friends.
- In court
- The sentence was handed down at Limerick Circuit Court, where the judge said custodial sentences are needed for driving offences such as this.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of eight years for each dangerous driving causing death charge, reduced to four years in mitigation.
- The driver was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years, and received six months for exceeding the alcohol limit in urine.
- Other details
- The driver pleaded guilty at the earliest stage and had no previous convictions.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDarragh Dullea was 20 and from Clonakilty, Cork. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatCillian Kirwan was 19 and from Piltown, Kilkenny. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe single-vehicle collision occurred on the N69 at Ballyengland near Askeaton. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe collision happened after the driver finished college lectures on 20 February 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe driver had consumed drinks in two pubs in Kildimo before the collision. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeSpeed, alcohol consumption and loss of control of the vehicle were potential contributory factors. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeWithin three hours of the collision the driver had 222mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeBoth young men died of polytrauma consistent with a road traffic collision. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationAfter the collision the driver told gardaí that he was driving, drinking and at fault. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe driver was convicted of dangerous driving causing the deaths of two college friends. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe sentence was handed down at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of eight years for each dangerous driving causing death charge, reduced to four years in mitigation. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe driver received six months for driving while exceeding the alcohol limit in urine. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe driver pleaded guilty at the earliest stage and had no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Jul2026'Life moves cruelly onwards' - judge, as Limerick student jailed for double fatality
Reports the sentencing at Limerick Circuit Court, including the judge's remarks, the headline and final sentences, alcohol levels, and victim impact statements from the families.
convicted, Patrick Carroll, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Carrollvictim, Darragh Dullea, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Darragh Dulleavictim, Cillian Kirwan, 19, male, irish (judged from name)Cillian Kirwan