Man pleads guilty to fatal hit and run in Limerick
On 13 February 2026, Keelan O'Connell, a 19-year-old man from Castleconnell, Co Limerick, was driving a VW Golf at excess speed on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, when he collided with a Peugeot while attempting to undertake it, forcing it into the path of Áine O'Reilly's Nissan Micra. O'Reilly, a woman and nurse from Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, died instantly at the scene, and O'Connell fled on foot before handing himself in to gardaí a few days later. He was under the influence of cannabis and fast gas at the time. On 19 October 2026, O'Connell pleaded guilty to eight charges including dangerous driving causing death at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Colin Daly. He was remanded in custody for a sentencing hearing in November.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court19 Oct
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- O'Connell was driving a high-powered VW Golf at excess speed and collided with a Peugeot while attempting to undertake it, forcing it into the path of O'Reilly's Nissan Micra.
- O'Reilly died instantly from catastrophic injuries at the scene.
- O'Connell fled the scene on foot without offering assistance.
- Where
- The collision occurred on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick.
- When
- The collision occurred on Friday 13 February 2026 at 11.10pm.
- Cause
- O'Connell was under the influence of cannabis and fast gas at the time of the crash.
- Investigation
- O'Connell handed himself in to gardaí a few days after the collision and admitted being high on cannabis and fast gas.
- Charges
- O'Connell pleaded guilty to eight charges including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, hit-and-run offences, and driving without a licence or insurance.
- In court
- The plea was heard before Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on 19 October 2026.
- Sentence
- O'Connell was remanded in continuing custody for a sentencing hearing in November.
- Other details
- O'Connell was refused bail after objections from investigating garda Tony Burke of Henry Street Garda Station.
- O'Connell told gardaí he won the VW Golf in a raffle a few days before the collision.
- O'Reilly worked as a nurse at Shannondoc, Co Limerick.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatO'Connell was driving a high-powered VW Golf at excess speed when he attempted a dangerous manoeuvre. (rte.ie)
- whatO'Connell collided with a Peugeot car as he attempted to undertake it, forcing it into the path of Ms O'Reilly's Nissan Micra. (rte.ie)
- whatÁine O'Reilly died instantly from catastrophic injuries at the scene. (rte.ie)
- whatO'Connell fled the scene on foot without offering assistance. (rte.ie)
- whereThe collision occurred on the N24 at Grange West, Boher on 13 February 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision occurred at N24, Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick. (rte.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred on Friday 13 February at 11.10pm. (rte.ie)
- causeO'Connell was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash (irishtimes.com)
- investigationO'Connell handed himself in to gardaí a few days later and admitted being high on cannabis and fast gas. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe investigating garda was Tony Burke of Henry Street Garda Station. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe charges included dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, hit-and-run offences, and driving without a licence or insurance (irishtimes.com)
- chargeO'Connell pleaded guilty to eight charges including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, hit-and-run charges, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. (rte.ie)
- courtThe plea was heard before Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtO'Connell pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Colin Daly. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Daly remanded O'Connell in continuing custody for a sentence hearing in November. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Connell was remanded to prison for sentencing. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Connell was under the influence of drugs at the time of the collision. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Connell was refused bail after strenuous objections from the investigating garda. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Connell told gardaí he won the VW Golf in a raffle a few days before the collision. (rte.ie)
- otherÁine O'Reilly worked as a nurse at Shannondoc, Co Limerick. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Oct2026Man pleads guilty to fatal hit and run in Limerick
Reports the guilty plea and remand for sentencing, with details of the collision, the accused's drug use, and the eight charges.
accused, Keelan O'Connell, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keelan O'Connellvictim, Áine O'Reilly, female, irish (judged from name)Áine O'Reilly - 19 Oct2026Limerick teenager pleads guilty to hit-and-run that killed nurse Áine O’Reilly
O'Connell pleaded guilty to eight charges including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to the Peugeot driver, hit-and-run offences (failing to remain, offer assistance, report), and driving without a licence or insurance. He was under the influence of cannabis and fast gas, fled the scene on foot, and handed himself in days later. He was remanded in custody for a November sentencing hearing.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)victimaccused, 19, male, irish (judged from name)