Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of niece in Rathkeale
Danny O'Donoghue, 42, a man from Rathkeale, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty on 17 July 2025 to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita O'Rourke, née Sheridan, 21, and to producing a machete during a dispute. The fatal incident occurred on 21 December 2024 at Bank Place, Rathkeale, when O'Donoghue struck steel gates that the victim was closing. He appeared via video-link from Portlaoise Prison at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, where sentencing was adjourned to 29 October 2025. A fifth charge of threatening to kill or cause serious harm has not yet been pleaded.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted17 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Danny O'Donoghue, 42, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita O'Rourke, née Sheridan, 21.
- He also pleaded guilty to producing a machete during a dispute and to causing criminal damage to a silver Ford Transit Custom van.
- Where
- The fatal incident occurred at Bank Place, Rathkeale, Co Limerick.
- When
- The incident took place on 21 December 2024.
- Cause
- The victim was closing steel gates to a property when O'Donoghue struck the gates, killing her.
- Weapon
- A machete was produced during a dispute on the same day as the fatal incident.
- Charges
- A fifth charge of threatening to kill or cause serious harm has not yet been pleaded.
- In court
- O'Donoghue appeared via video-link from Portlaoise Prison at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on 17 July 2025.
- Sentence
- Sentencing was adjourned to 29 October 2025.
- Other details
- The victim had given birth to her first child, a son, three weeks before her death.
- The victim's husband Denis is currently in the United Kingdom.
8 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDanny O'Donoghue pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused pleaded guilty to producing a machete during a dispute. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a silver Ford Transit Custom van, property of Patrick Sheridan. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal incident took place on 21 December 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 21 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeO'Donoghue also pleaded guilty to producing a machete during a dispute. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe deceased's husband is currently in the United Kingdom. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim's husband Denis is currently in the United Kingdom. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jul2025Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of niece
Details the guilty plea, circumstances of the fatal collision, the victim's recent childbirth, family tributes, and the judge's direction that sentencing be heard in a dedicated afternoon session.
victim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)accused, 42, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Patrick Sheridan, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridan - 17 Jul2025Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of his niece Marguerita O’Rourke
Guilty plea hearing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court; sentencing adjourned to 29 October 2025; fifth charge (threatening to kill or cause serious harm) not yet pleaded.
victim, 21, female, irish (judged from name)accused, 42, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Patrick Sheridan, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sheridanvictim, female, irish (judged from name)