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. 9557Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Limerick · 26 Jun 2020

William Faulkner found guilty of dangerous driving over fatal Limerick collision

On June 26, 2020, just after midnight on Hyde Road between Southill and Hyde Road in Limerick City, a collision killed 17-year-old Patrick O'Reilly, a friend of the suspect, and Libyan cyclist Saad Al Werfally, aged 36. The prosecution alleged that William Faulkner (24) and O'Reilly had been racing each other in their cars. Faulkner pleaded not guilty to endangerment and to dangerous driving at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, where a jury found him not guilty of endangerment but guilty of dangerous driving, with verdicts reached after 77 minutes of deliberation, as reported on May 16, 2026. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear for sentence on July 20.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted16 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patrick O'Reilly, aged 17, died after he lost control of his car and struck a tree and a male cyclist.
  • Saad Al Werfally, a 36-year-old Libyan cyclist, was killed in the collision on Hyde Road.
Where
The collision happened between Southill and Hyde Road in Limerick City.
When
The collision happened just after midnight on June 26, 2020.
Cause
The prosecution alleged that William Faulkner and his friend Patrick O'Reilly had been racing one another in their cars.
Charges
  • The prosecution alleged that Faulkner drove in an intentionally reckless manner, including with speed.
  • Faulkner was never accused of causing the deaths of Patrick O'Reilly or Saad Al Werfally.
In court
  • Faulkner, aged 24, pleaded not guilty to both charges at his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The jury returned unanimous verdicts after deliberating for 77 minutes, finding Faulkner not guilty of endangerment and guilty of dangerous driving.
Sentence
Faulkner was remanded on continuing bail to appear for sentence on July 20.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWilliam Faulkner was found not guilty of endangerment but guilty of dangerous driving. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatPatrick O’Reilly died after losing control of his car, striking a tree and a cyclist. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatSaad Al Werfally, a cyclist, was killed in the collision on Hyde Road. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe collision happened just after midnight on June 26, 2020, between Southill and Hyde Road in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution alleged the two men had been racing one another in their cars. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe prosecution alleged Faulkner drove in an intentionally reckless manner, including with speed. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeFaulkner was never accused of causing the deaths of Patrick O’Reilly or Al Werfally. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned its verdicts after deliberating for 77 minutes. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceFaulkner was remanded on continuing bail to appear for sentence on July 20. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 May2026
    Convictedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Man found guilty of dangerous driving after friend and cyclist killed in collision

    Reports the jury verdicts at trial and that sentencing is set for July 20. The case was not in the existing list.

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