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A 19-year-old has admitted responsibility for a fatal hit-and-run that killed a nurse in County Limerick. The defendant told gardaí he had been using drugs and nitrous oxide, and he has been remanded for sentencing.
Collision on a regional road
The crash happened on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, just after 11.10pm on Friday, February 13 this year. Emergency services found 33-year-old Áine O’Reilly, of Pallasgreen, Limerick, fatally injured at the scene. She had been travelling to work at ShannonDoc in Limerick.
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Teenager pleads guilty in hit-and-run that killed a nurse travelling to work
Garda Tony Burke, of Henry Street station, told the court that the collision followed an attempted overtaking manoeuvre by the defendant, who was driving a high-powered Volkswagen Golf. That move struck a Peugeot, which was pushed into the path of Ms O’Reilly’s Nissan Micra.
After the impact, the court heard, the driver of the Golf fled on foot and did not remain to assist the other drivers. He later handed himself in to gardaí a few days after the crash.
Admissions to drug use and vehicle details
During interviews conducted under caution, the defendant admitted being under the influence of cannabis and what he described as “fast gas” (nitrous oxide) at the time of the collision. He also told gardaí he had won the Volkswagen in a raffle only days before the fatal crash.
Charges and guilty plea
Keelan O’Connell, of Scanlon Park, Castleconnell, Limerick, appeared before Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges.
- Dangerous driving causing death;
- Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to the Peugeot driver;
- Failing to remain at the scene and failing to offer assistance;
- Failing to report the collision to gardaí;
- Driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Court handling and next steps
Following his arrest, O’Connell was refused bail. At the bail hearing Garda Burke stated he believed the defendant would pose a further risk of committing serious offences if released.
Judge Daly remanded O’Connell into continuing custody. Sentencing is scheduled for November.
