Limerick teen faces new hit-and-run charges after nurse killed on way to work

Keelan O'Connell, 19, faces additional charges of failing to assist Áine O'Reilly and fleeing the scene. He remains in custody after being refused bail.

New charges brought against Castleconnell teen in Limerick nurse death case

A 19-year-old Limerick man already charged with dangerous driving causing death has been hit with three further charges, limerickleader.ie reports.

Keelan O'Connell, of Scanlon Park, Castleconnell, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court on Tuesday. He faces the new charges in addition to those already lodged against him in March, following the death of nurse Áine O'Reilly, aged 33, on the N24 at Grange West, Boher, County Limerick, on Friday, 13 February 2026.

The three new charges — all contrary to Section 106(1) of the Road Traffic Act — allege that O'Connell failed to offer assistance to Ms O'Reilly, failed to report the collision to gardaí, and failed to offer assistance "with the intent to escape civil or criminal liability."

Garda Tony Burke, of Henry Street Garda Station, gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of O'Connell in respect of the new charges. O'Connell made no response during the brief procedural hearing. His solicitor, Sarah Ryan, confirmed he is not applying for bail. He is due back before Limerick District Court in June.

O'Connell has been remanded in custody since March, when he was first charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance at the same location on the same date.

At the time of his initial appearance, Garda Burke alleged that on the night in question O'Connell was driving a black 2007 VW Golf at excess speed and attempted a dangerous manoeuvre — undertaking a Peugeot car. The Golf collided with the Peugeot, which was in turn forced into a Nissan Micra driven by Ms O'Reilly. O'Connell was arrested at his home at 7.42am on Thursday, 19 March.

Ms O'Reilly, who was travelling to her shift at Shannondoc, was pronounced dead at the scene. Garda Burke alleged O'Connell "fled the scene on foot" without offering any assistance.

Source: Irish Independent