Man in his 40s arrested in Rathkeale fatal hit and run that killed young mother Marguerita Sheridan
A man in his 40s was arrested and a van recovered for technical examination in connection with the fatal hit and run in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, on 21 December 2024, in which Marguerita Sheridan, a young mother in her 20s, was killed when a van ploughed into a set of gates she was standing beside.
- Reported22 Dec
2 reports - Arrested23 Dec
3 reports - Charged21 Dec
7 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports95 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMarguerita Sheridan had given birth to a baby son three weeks before her death. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was in her 20s and from Rathkeale. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA silver Ford Transit van ploughed into a set of gates she was standing beside. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe driver did not stop to render assistance and fled the scene. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was taken to University Hospital Limerick where she was pronounced dead. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan, 21, died in the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe van struck a set of gates that then struck Sheridan, pinning her to the wall (irishtimes.com)
- whatLocals rendered assistance to Sheridan at the scene (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was taken to University Hospital Limerick where she was pronounced dead a short time later (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the death of Marguerita Sheridan. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA van believed to have been involved was recovered for technical examination. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Sheridan died after a silver Ford Transit ploughed into a set of gates at which she was standing. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt is believed the van hit a set of gates that then struck the young woman, pinning her to the wall. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan, in her 20s and from Rathkeale, died after a van ploughed into a set of gates she was standing beside on Saturday 21 December. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan was killed three weeks after the birth of her baby son. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s was charged in connection with the death of Marguerita Sheridan. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan was a mother of one who had given birth to a baby boy the previous month. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan was 21 years old and from Rathkeale. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was critically injured when a van struck a set of gates she was standing beside. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was critically injured when a van allegedly struck a set of gates she was standing beside in Rathkeale on Saturday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan was 21 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe had given birth to her first child, a son, the month before the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe had given birth to her first child, a baby boy, the month before her death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested as part of the investigation into the fatal incident in Rathkeale. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMarguerita Sheridan died after a van ploughed into a set of gates she was standing beside. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at the entrance to a property in Rathkeale town centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe van struck gates at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Bank Place on Well Lane, Rathkeale (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fatal collision occurred at the entrance to a property in Rathkeale town centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 2.15pm on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal incident occurred at the entrance to a property in Rathkeale town centre at around 2.15pm on Saturday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on Saturday, 21 December 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at about 12.15pm on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred around 12.15pm on Saturday, 21 December 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAll offences occurred on 21 December 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 12.15pm on Saturday, 21 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenAll the alleged offences occurred on 21 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred at around 12.15pm on 21 December 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on Saturday afternoon, 21 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí on Sunday continued to search for the silver Ford Transit and its driver. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA forensic examination of the scene and local house-to-house inquiries were under way. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí appealed for witnesses including those with dashcam footage. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating whether Sheridan was struck deliberately as part of a feud between two factions of a large family (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation has not yet been upgraded to a murder inquiry (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOne line of inquiry is that the van occupants were travelling to a property to damage it as part of the feud (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have appealed for witnesses including those with dashcam footage (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe suspect was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating whether Ms Sheridan was struck deliberately as part of a feud between two factions of a large family. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIt is unclear whether the individual intended to kill or seriously harm Ms Sheridan. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem was conducted by State Pathologist Sally Anne Collis. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for road users or pedestrians with camera footage in the Rathkeale area between 11.30am and 1.00pm. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man in his 40s continues to be detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe postmortem was conducted and completed by State Pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis on Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe postmortem results are not being released for operational reasons. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí recovered a van they suspected was involved in the fatal incident. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were awaiting further directions from the DPP (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA van believed to have been involved has been recovered by Gardaí and will be subject to a technical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage from the Rathkeale area between 11:30am and 1:00pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man in his 40s has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with causing criminal damage to a set of steel gates at the same location on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat to Patrick Sheridan. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeO'Donoghue was charged with causing criminal damage to a set of gates (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeO'Donoghue was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeO'Donoghue was charged with producing a machete while making the alleged threat (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with causing criminal damage to a set of gates. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with producing a machete while he made the alleged threat. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of causing criminal damage to a set of gates (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is accused of producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Sheridan (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on 24 December 2024 at 7pm. (garda.ie)
- courtThe suspect was scheduled to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court around 7pm on 24 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtO'Donoghue was remanded in custody on Tuesday night (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was to appear via video-link before Limerick District Court for DPP directions (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody on Tuesday night, 24 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was to appear via video-link before Limerick District Court on Friday, 27 December, for DPP directions. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe appeared before a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court via video-link from Limerick Prison (irishtimes.com)
- otherDozens of extra gardaí including armed officers are to be assigned to Rathkeale over Christmas week (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí from the Armed Support Unit were deployed to the hospital on Saturday night amid fears of further violence (irishtimes.com)
- otherSeveral violent incidents believed to be linked to feuds between families have taken place in recent weeks (irishtimes.com)
- otherSheridan gave birth to a baby son three weeks before the incident (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Sheridan had given birth to her first child, a son, three weeks before her death. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJohn Sheridan, father of the deceased, posted a video of his late daughter on social media. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA local priest led the Sheridan family, friends and neighbours in prayers at the ruins of an Abbey in Rathkeale. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMarguerita Sheridan gave birth to her first child, a baby boy, the month before the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHundreds of family and friends attended a candlelight vigil at The Crib at the Abbey Grounds in Rathkeale on Christmas Eve. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSeveral hundred people attended a candle lit vigil in Rathkeale on Christmas Eve (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe deceased had given birth to her first child, a son, three weeks before the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Dec2024Man arrested and van examined in Rathkeale fatal hit and run investigation
Reports the arrest of a man in his 40s and the recovery of a van for technical examination; Gardaí appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage from the Rathkeale area between 11:30am and 1:00pm on 21 December 2024.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 20s, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridansuspect, 40s, male - 27 Dec2024Man remanded in custody charged over death of young mother in Rathkeale
Names the suspect as Danny O'Donoghue, 42, of Lower Main Street Rathkeale; details all charges including machete threat to Patrick Sheridan; records his remand in custody via video-link from Limerick Prison; provides victim's full married name, age 21, and details of her family and funeral arrangements.
victim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)victim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridanaccused, 42, male, irish (judged from name) - 27 Dec2024Man remanded in custody charged with dangerous driving causing death of woman (21) in Rathkeale
Identifies the accused as Danny O'Donoghue, 42, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale; adds charges of criminal damage to gates and van, threatening to kill Patrick Sheridan, and producing a machete; details the remand at Limerick District Court via video-link; provides victim's full name, age (21), her husband Denis, and their newborn son Edward; notes a candlelit vigil on Christmas Eve.
victim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, 42, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridan - 27 Dec2024Partner and baby of young mum killed in hit-and-run pose in heartbreaking photo
Names the suspect as Danny O'Donoghue, 42, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale; details the specific charges including threatening to kill Patrick Sheridan with a machete; confirms court appearance on Christmas Eve and remand in custody; provides funeral and vigil details.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridanvictim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridanaccused, 42, male, irish (judged from name) - 26 Dec2024Young mother killed in Limerick hit-and-run to be laid to rest
Confirms the victim's age as 21 and that she had given birth three weeks prior; names the accused as Danny O'Donoghue, 42; details the full set of charges including a machete threat to Patrick Sheridan; records the Christmas Eve court appearance and remand; provides funeral arrangements and the father's tribute.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridanvictim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridanaccused, 42, male, irish (judged from name) - 24 Dec2024Man charged with dangerous driving causing death of Marguerita Sheridan in Rathkeale, Co Limerick
Names the accused as Danny O'Donoghue (42) of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale; details all five charges; records that he was remanded in custody to Limerick Prison to appear by video-link on 27 December; includes details of a candlelight vigil attended by several hundred people and tributes from her father John Sheridan.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridanvictim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridanaccused, 42, male, irish (judged from name) - 24 Dec2024Christmas Eve court date for man charged over hit-and-run that killed young mum
Reports that the suspect was formally charged and scheduled to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Christmas Eve; provides details of a community vigil attended by several hundred people and the father's Facebook tribute; confirms a post-mortem was completed but results not disclosed for operational reasons.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridansuspect, 40s, male - 23 Dec2024Gardai announce major Limerick fatal hit-and-run update
Confirms postmortem completed by State Pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis on Sunday; results not released for operational reasons; man in his 40s still detained under Section 4; Gardaí renew witness appeal specifying 11:30am–1:00pm window for dash-cam footage in Rathkeale.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 20s, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridansuspect, 40s, male - 23 Dec2024Man (40s) arrested as part of investigation into death of Marguerita Sheridan in Rathkeale
Adds that the van was a silver Ford Transit, the incident occurred at about 12.15pm, Gardaí are investigating a possible deliberate act as part of a family feud, the investigation has not been upgraded to murder, Ms Sheridan had given birth three weeks prior, and the postmortem was conducted by State Pathologist Sally Anne Collis.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridansuspect, 40s, male - 23 Dec2024Gardaí braced for reprisals after young mother killed in Rathkeale hit-and-run
Adds details on the family feud context, the mechanism of injury (van struck gates which struck Sheridan pinning her to the wall), the investigation not yet upgraded to murder, the line of inquiry that the van occupants were travelling to damage a property, security measures with armed officers and Armed Support Unit deployed over Christmas, and the ongoing search for the van and driver.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridan - 22 Dec2024Young woman killed in Limerick hit and run gave birth to baby son three weeks ago
Adds that Marguerita Sheridan had given birth to a baby son three weeks before her death, specifies the time as around 2.15pm and the location as the entrance to a property in Rathkeale town centre, identifies the vehicle as a silver Ford Transit, and confirms Gardaí were still searching for the van and driver on Sunday with forensic examination and house-to-house inquiries under way.
victim, Marguerita Sheridan, 20s, female, irish (judged from name)Marguerita Sheridansuspect - 21 Dec2024Court Appearance: Serious Injury Incident, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, 21st December 2024
Confirms the man in his 40s has been charged and is due to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on 24 December 2024 at 7pm.
accused, 40s, male