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. 9609Dangerous driving · Co. Limerick · 26 Jun 2020

Trial opens over Limerick double fatal collision

In the early hours of Friday, June 26, 2020, Patrick O'Reilly (17, of Castletroy, Limerick) and cyclist Saad Al Werfally (36, a Libyan native) died in a collision on Hyde Road in Limerick City. Prosecutors allege that O'Reilly was racing his friend William Faulkner (24, of Caherdavin Heights, Limerick), and Faulkner has been charged with dangerous driving and endangerment, which he denies. His trial opened before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and Judge Colin Daly on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with a jury of seven men and five women. The trial continues on Wednesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patrick O'Reilly (17, of Castletroy, Limerick) and cyclist Saad Al Werfally (36, a Libyan native) died in the collision.
  • The prosecution says O'Reilly's car struck Al Werfally before hitting a tree.
Where
  • The collision happened on Hyde Road in Limerick City.
  • The two cars met in the Southill area of Limerick City around midnight.
When
The collision happened in the early hours of Friday, June 26, 2020.
Cause
  • The prosecution says the driver and a friend were racing one another in their cars.
  • The prosecution alleges Faulkner was driving too fast on Hyde Road, a heavily built-up area.
  • The prosecution alleges O'Reilly's car went to overtake Faulkner's car and lost control.
Investigation
CCTV footage will be played in court.
Charges
William Faulkner (24, of Caherdavin Heights, Limerick) is charged with dangerous driving and endangerment.
In court
  • Faulkner has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
  • The trial opened on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and Judge Colin Daly.
  • The jury has seven men and five women, and the trial continues on Wednesday.
Other details
  • Faulkner is not accused of causing the deaths of the two men.
  • According to the prosecution, Faulkner's car did not contact the other car or the cyclist; the defence case is not stated.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA driver and a cyclist were killed when the driver and a friend were racing one another in their cars. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe collision happened at Hyde Road in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe two cars met up in the Southill area of Limerick City around midnight. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe collision happened in the early hours of Friday, June 26, 2020. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution alleges Faulkner was driving too fast on Hyde Road, a heavily built up area. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution alleges Patrick O’Reilly’s car went to overtake Faulkner’s car and lost control. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage will be played in court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeFaulkner is charged with dangerous driving and endangerment. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe prosecution says Faulkner is guilty of dangerous driving and endangerment. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeFaulkner has pleaded not guilty to both charges. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial is before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and Judge Colin Daly. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe jury has seven men and five women and the trial continues on Wednesday. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherFaulkner is not accused of causing the deaths of the two men. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe defence case is not stated; Faulkner's car did not contact the other car or the cyclist, according to the prosecution. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 May2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Accused man and friend were ‘racing’ before double fatal collision, court hears

    Reports the opening of the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court trial of William Faulkner, including the prosecution's account of the alleged racing and the two charges. Gives the victims' names and nationality, the date and place of the collision, and the not guilty plea.

    victim, Patrick O'Reilly, 17, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Reillyvictim, Saad Al Werfally, 36, male, Libyan, non-irishSaad Al Werfallyaccused, William Faulkner, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Faulkner