Tributes Pour In for 'Wonderful' Nurse Killed in Limerick Three-Car Crash
The community in County Limerick is in mourning following the tragic death of a nurse described as "wonderful" and possessing a "great sense of humour". Áine O'Reilly, aged in her 30s, was killed in a three-car collision while on her way to work at an out-of-hours GP service.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 11:10 PM on Friday night on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, in County Limerick. Ms. O'Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene. She was traveling to her workplace at Shannondoc, Limerick's out-of-hours GP service, at the time of the accident. Authorities confirmed she was the sole occupant of her vehicle.
A man in his 40s, who was driving another car involved in the collision, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. In a concerning development, the driver of a third vehicle fled the scene, abandoning their car. Gardaí have launched an appeal for information regarding this individual.
Investigation and Community Response
The N24 between the R505 and L1132 was temporarily closed to facilitate a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. The road has since reopened. In an update issued on Sunday, Gardaí expressed gratitude for public assistance and indicated they are "following a definite line of inquiry."
An outpouring of grief has flooded social media and the local community. One heartfelt tribute on Facebook remembered Áine as "a lovely gentle soul" who "gave the best skin and hair care advice and loved animals." The post added, "Such a great nurse she is such a loss to our community and her lovely family and friends."
Another message highlighted her professional dedication: "Aine was a wonderful nurse and I'm lucky to have had the pleasure of working with her. Such a kind and caring person." A further comment poignantly noted, "So sad, she was going to do good for others!"
A Life of Service and Compassion
Parish priest Fr. Tomas O'Connell of Pallasgreen and Templebraden spoke of the profound shock within the community, describing a "palatable silence" at a recent mass. He emphasized that the O'Reilly family is well-known and respected locally.
Fr. O'Connell shared that Ms. O'Reilly was a caring individual who had previously traveled to Lourdes as a youth worker, reflecting the family's ethos of "giving and helping other people."
Áine O'Reilly will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Church in Nicker on Wednesday morning, followed by burial in St. Columba's cemetery in Pallasgreen. Her RIP notice remembers her as "sadly missed by her heartbroken parents Eugene and Ann, brothers Eoin, James and Conor, sister-in-law Aisling, nephew Dáire, aunts, uncles, relatives and a wide circle of friends."
