Ireland Student pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing deaths of two friends in Limerick
On 20 February 2024 a crash on the N69 at Ballyengland, Askeaton, County Limerick, killed Darragh Dullea (20, from Clonakilty, Cork) and Cillian Kirwan (19, from Piltown, Kilkenny), who were passengers in a car driven by their friend Patrick Carroll, who was 19 at the time and is listed as 21 and of Drinagh, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly. Reports published on 4 March 2026 said Carroll pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one of driving under the influence of alcohol, and his barrister asked that he be remanded on bail on the same terms as before. The latest report, published on 9 March 2026, says a probation report and victim impact statements will be considered at sentencing, with a sentencing date to be set for April.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Mar
- Convicted9 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Friends Darragh Dullea and Cillian Kirwan died after a crash in a car driven by Patrick Carroll, in which they were passengers.
- Where
- The crash happened on the N69 at Ballyengland, Askeaton, County Limerick.
- When
- The crash happened on 20 February 2024.
- Other details
- Darragh Dullea was 20 at the time of the collision and was from Clonakilty, Cork.
- Cillian Kirwan was 19 at the time of the collision and was from Piltown, Kilkenny.
- Patrick Carroll was 19 at the time of the collision and is listed as 21 in the reports; he is from Drinagh, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly.
- All three men were students at Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry.
- Charges
- Carroll pleaded guilty to three counts: dangerous driving causing the death of Dullea, dangerous driving causing the death of Kirwan, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
- In court
- The plea was entered at Limerick Circuit Court; the reports were published on 4 March 2026, and the plea date is not stated.
- The defence asked that Carroll be remanded on bail on the same terms as before and said it would ask for a probation report.
- Victim impact statements from the two families will be heard at sentencing.
- Sentence
- A sentencing date is to be set for April, with the probation report and victim impact statements to be considered.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA student pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two of his friends and to driving under the influence of alcohol. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe two men died following a crash on the N69 at Ballyengland, Askeaton, County Limerick. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe collision occurred on the N69 at Ballyengland, Askeaton. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe crash happened on February 20, 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on 20 February 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Darragh Dullea, dangerous driving causing the death of Cillian Kirwan and driving under the influence of alcohol. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargePatrick Carroll pleaded guilty to three counts. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of two friends and to drink driving. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtCarroll's barrister said they would ask for a probation report. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtCarroll's barrister asked that he be remanded on bail on the same terms as before. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtVictim impact statements from the victims' families will be heard at the sentencing hearing. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe plea was entered at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe defence will ask for a probation report. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe defence asked that Carroll be remanded on bail on the same terms as before. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtVictim impact statements from the two families will be heard at sentencing. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceA date for sentencing will be set in April. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceA sentencing date is to be set for April. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe two men who died were Carroll's friends and passengers in the car he was driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherCarroll was 19 at the time of the collision. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherCarroll is from Drinagh, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherDarragh Dullea was from Clonakilty, Cork, and was 20 at the time of the collision. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherCillian Kirwan was from Piltown, Kilkenny, and was 19 at the time of the collision. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe two deceased and Carroll were friends and students at Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Mar2026BREAKING: Limerick student pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two young men
Guilty plea at Limerick Circuit Court to three counts. No matching existing case. Sentencing is due in April, with a probation report requested and victim impact statements to be heard.
convicted, Patrick Carroll, 21, 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 - 9 Mar2026Student pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of Kilkenny teen and Cork man
Carroll has pleaded guilty to all three counts. Victim impact statements and a probation report are to be considered before sentencing in April. The article gives the dates of the plea and the sentencing hearing only as published dates, so the plea date is not stated.
accused, Patrick Carroll, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Carrollvictim, Darragh Dullea, 20, irish (judged from name)Darragh Dulleavictim, Cillian Kirwan, 19, male, irish (judged from name)Cillian Kirwan