Áine O’Reilly, aged in her 30s, was one her way to work in Limerick’s out-of-hours GP service, when she was involved in a three-car smash and pronounced dead at the scene
Tributes have been paid to a “wonderful” nurse with a “great sense of humour” who was tragically killed in a three-way crash on her way to work.
Áine O’Reilly, aged in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene after the smash on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, in Co Limerick at around 11.10pm on Friday night.
She was travelling to Limerick’s out-of-hours GP service Shannondoc where she worked at the time when the crash took place. Ms O’Reilly was the only person in her car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A man in his 40s, who was in another car, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to University Hospital Limerick while a driver in a third vehicle fled the scene, leaving their car behind, reported the Irish Mirror.
The N24 between R505 and L1132 was closed for a time to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carry out a technical examination of the scene, but it has since reopened. In an update on Sunday, Gardai thanked the public for their “assistance,” and said they “are following a definite line of inquiry.”
Many people have expressed their sadness at the tragedy with one person writing on Facebook: “Aine was such a lovely gentle soul and had a great sense of humour. We had great laughs over the years. She gave the best skin and hair care advice and loved animals. Such a great nurse she is such a loss to our community and her lovely family and friends.”
Another message read: “Such sad terrible news. Aine was a wonderful nurse and I’m lucky to have had the pleasure of working with her. Such a kind and caring person. My deepest condolences to her friends and family. Rest in peace my dear Áine.” And a further comment stated: “So sad, she was going to do good for others ! May her good & gentle Soul rest in Peace.”
Parish priest of Pallasgreen and Templebraden, Fr Tomas O’Connell said the O’Reilly family are well known and respected in the community. “There was a palpable silence in Nicker Church at mass last night,” Fr O’Connell said, reported RTE.
“People are shocked at the terrible tragedy that has happened our lovely parish and community.”
He told how Ms O’Reilly was a caring young woman who had previously travelled to Lourdes as a youth worker. “That was the nature of the lady and the family,” he said. “That’s what the family is all about, giving and helping other people.”
Ms O’Reilly will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Church Nicker on Wednesday morning before she is buried in St. Columba’s cemetery Pallasgreen.
An RIP notice read: “Áine O’Reilly (Grove House, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick), died tragically following a Road Traffic Accident on February 13th 2026. 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.”
