Teen Bryan Lowe (16) killed in hit-and-run near Cloonlara, Clare — Skoda Octavia sought

Bryan Lowe, 16, was found unresponsive on the roadside in Co Clare after a fatal hit-and-run. Gardaí are hunting the driver of a Skoda Octavia, registration 05-C-5982.

Mother of Limerick teen killed in Clare hit-and-run issues 'eye for an eye' warning

The mother of 16-year-old Bryan Lowe, who died after being struck by a car near Cloonlara in Co Clare, has warned those responsible to expect retribution — as Gardaí continue to hunt the driver of a Skoda Octavia linked to the fatal incident, irishmirror.ie reports.

Bryan, a Limerick native and pupil at St Munchin's College, was found unresponsive on the side of the L3050 at Cottage Cross near Cloonlara at around 11pm last Friday night. He had been riding an e-bike. Emergency services pronounced him deceased at the scene.

His mother, Crystal Lowe, said she was not permitted to see her son's remains due to the severity of his injuries.

"My son died on his own, I wasn't with him. I wanted to pray over him but I wasn't allowed. He was murdered. I heard he's no teeth and more than likely the coffin has to be closed. That says it all," she wrote on social media.

Crystal also said she was prepared to investigate the case herself if Gardaí did not act. "If the guards won't do their job I'll do it for them. My only son," she said. In a further post, she wrote: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

She also claimed Bryan had been "followed from Corbally to Cloolara" by individuals who had "robbed him of his hard working money and his coat."

Local TD Cathal Crowe described the past weekend as "heartbreaking" for the Lowe family and called on anyone with information to come forward.

"This morning he should be heading off with a bag in his back to St. Munchin's College but instead his distraught family are making arrangements for his funeral," Crowe said in a statement. "Whilst Bryan's family mourn, I think it's important for all of us to call this for what it is — MURDER — This wasn't an unfortunate accident."

Crowe specifically urged anyone with knowledge of the silver/gold Skoda Octavia, registration 05-C-5982, to contact Gardaí immediately, and called for CCTV and dash-cam footage to be handed over to investigating officers.

According to irishmirror.ie, Gardaí have established that Bryan texted an associate shortly before the collision to say he believed he was being followed. He also asked that person to contact Gardaí if he failed to return home. One line of inquiry being pursued is that the teen was targeted by individuals who intended to steal his e-bike.

A source told the publication: "The belief now is that there was an attempt to take the e-bike off the lad killed; he got away from the individuals but was followed and struck."

In an update issued on Sunday, Gardaí said they are seeking to speak to the driver and occupants of a silver/gold Skoda Octavia with the registration plate 05-C-5982, which was travelling in the vicinity of Clonlara and Castleconnell on Friday evening and into Saturday morning.

"Shortly after 11pm, emergency services alerted Gardaí after an e-bike rider, a male in his mid-teens, was found unresponsive by the roadside on the L3050 at Cottage Cross near Cloonlara. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second vehicle involved in the incident failed to remain at the scene," Gardaí said in a statement.

Gardaí are appealing to road users who were in the Cloonlara and Castleconnell area between 6pm on Friday 4 September and 11am on Saturday 5 September 2026 to make any camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, available to investigators.

Tributes to Bryan have been widespread. His aunt described him as a young man of remarkable work ethic. "Our Bryan. Aka 'The working Lad' — never in my lifetime seen a young lad with such powerful work ethic and ability. Such an inspiration to any young lad. Broken hearted," she wrote.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Source: Irish Independent