Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10703Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Limerick · 13 Feb 2026

Man (19) charged with dangerous driving causing death of nurse Áine O’Reilly, Limerick

A fatal collision happened on 13 February 2026 on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick, in which nurse Áine O'Reilly, a woman, died at the scene. Gardaí allege that Keelan O'Connell, a 19-year-old man, was driving the VW Golf that started the chain of collisions, and that he admitted to gardaí he was under the influence of cannabis and 'fast gas' at the time. Gardaí arrested O'Connell at his home on Thursday 19 March 2026, and he was charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He appeared before Limerick District Court, where the judge refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear by video-link on 24 March.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí allege O'Connell's VW Golf collided with a Peugeot, which then collided with a Nissan Micra driven by Ms O'Reilly.
  • Ms O'Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene.
Where
The fatal collision happened on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick.
When
The collision happened on 13 February 2026.
Cause
O'Connell admitted to gardaí that he was under the influence of cannabis and 'fast gas' at the time of the collision.
Investigation
  • Gardaí allege O'Connell fled the scene on foot with two occupants of his car.
  • O'Connell presented himself to gardaí the day after the collision and admitted being the driver.
  • Gardaí said they had dash cam footage from the Peugeot showing the fatal collision, and that the evidence against O'Connell also included independent witnesses and CCTV.
  • Gardaí arrested O'Connell at his home at 7.42am on Thursday 19 March 2026.
Charges
  • O'Connell was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Áine O'Reilly.
  • O'Connell was also charged with driving without a licence and driving without insurance at the same location and date.
In court
  • O'Connell was charged before Limerick District Court; reports of the first appearance are dated 1 March 2026 and 20 March 2026.
  • The judge refused bail.
Sentence
O'Connell was remanded in custody to appear before Limerick District Court by video-link on 24 March.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí allege O’Connell’s VW Golf collided with a Peugeot, which then collided with a Nissan Micra driven by Ms O’Reilly. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMs O’Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe fatal collision happened at N24, Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe collision happened on 13 February. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeO’Connell admitted to gardaí that he was under the influence of cannabis and fast gas at the time of the collision. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí allege O’Connell fled the scene on foot with two occupants of his car. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationO’Connell presented himself to gardaí the day after the collision and admitted being the driver. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said they had dash cam footage from the Peugeot showing the fatal collision. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the evidence against O’Connell included independent witnesses, CCTV and dash cam footage. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested O’Connell at his home at 7.42am on Thursday 19 March. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO’Connell was charged before Limerick District Court with dangerous driving causing the death of Áine O’Reilly. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO’Connell was also charged with driving without a licence and driving without insurance at the same location and date. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceO’Connell was remanded in custody to appear before Limerick District Court by video-link. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man (19) appears in court charged with dangerous driving causing death of nurse Áine O'Reilly

    First court appearance reported. Adds the charges, the garda evidence on the collision and drug use, the bail refusal and the remand in custody to 24 March.

    victim, Áine O'Reilly, 33, female, irish (judged from name)Áine O'Reillyaccused, Keelan O'Connell, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keelan O'Connell