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. 10609Dangerous driving causing death; drink driving · Co. Limerick · 20 Feb 2024

Student pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing deaths of two friends in Limerick crash

On 20 February 2024, a car driven by Patrick Carroll, a 21-year-old man, struck a wall at around 7.25pm on the N69 at Ballyengland, near Askeaton, County Limerick. The crash killed his friends Darragh Dullea, 21, from Clonakilty, County Cork, and Cillian Kirwan, 19, from Piltown, County Kilkenny, who were fellow students at Salesian Agricultural College. Carroll and a third passenger were treated in hospital for their injuries. By 5 March 2026, Carroll had pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the two deaths and to driving while intoxicated; he was remanded on continuing bail, a probation report was ordered, and sentencing is set for April 27.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The crash happened on 20 February 2024.
Where
The crash happened on the N69 at Ballyengland, near Askeaton, County Limerick.
What happened
The car driven by Patrick Carroll struck a wall at around 7.25pm.
Other details
  • Patrick Carroll, 21, has an address in Birr, County Offaly.
  • The two men who died were Darragh Dullea, 21, of Clonakilty, County Cork, and Cillian Kirwan, 19, of Piltown, County Kilkenny.
  • Carroll and the two men who died were friends and fellow students at Salesian Agricultural College.
  • Carroll and a third passenger were treated in hospital for crash injuries.
Charges
  • Carroll pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of Darragh Dullea and Cillian Kirwan.
  • Carroll also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated on the same date.
In court
  • Carroll pleaded guilty before Judge Simon McAleese at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, as reported on 5 March 2026.
  • Carroll was remanded on continuing bail, and a probation report was ordered before sentencing.
  • The State will seek victim impact statements from the families of the two men who died.
Sentence
Sentencing is set for April 27.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe car Carroll was driving struck a wall around 7.25pm. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe crash happened at the N69 at Ballyengland, near Askeaton, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe crash happened on 20 February 2024. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two men. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeCarroll also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe State will seek victim impact statements from the families of the dead men. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtA probation report was ordered before sentencing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtCarroll was remanded on continuing bail, with sentencing set for April 27. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherCarroll and the two dead men were friends and fellow students at Salesian Agricultural College. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherCarroll and a third passenger were treated in hospital for crash injuries. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Guilty plea from student in car crash that killed two friends

    Court report of a guilty plea entered at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court; sentencing is set for April 27 and a probation report has been ordered.

    accused, Patrick Carroll, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Carrollvictim, Darragh Dullea, 21, male, irish (judged from name)Darragh Dulleavictim, Cillian Kirwan, 19, male, irish (judged from name)Cillian Kirwan