Family share Christmas heartbreak after young man killed in Limerick road crash

David Raleigh

Tributes have poured in for a young and popular man who was killed in a two-car collision on Thursday morning.

The deceased, named locally as Simon “Sammy” McInerney, died when the car he was driving impacted with another car on the N21 at Templeglantine, west Co Limerick, shortly before 1am.

Mr McInerney, (21), with family links in Rathkeale, was pronounced dead at the scene, while three youths travelling in the same car were seriously injured.

The three youths, including two juvenile girls and an older male teenager, were rushed from the scene by ambulances to hospitals across the Munster region.

One of the juvenile girls was left with life-threatening injuries.

A man and woman, believed to be from Ukraine, were travelling in the other car involved in the fatal collision. The man, 20s, was also taken to hospital by ambulance with serious lower limb injuries.

A sister of Mr McInerney shared photographs of her late brother and told of her shock at his sudden death in an online tribute.

The woman posted a photograph of her and her brother, and stated: “You will always be number one to me.

“Please will someone tell me why is life so cruel, it’s just so unfair what happened, I love you so much, my lovely brother Sammy.

“It’s like a bad nightmare I’m not waking up from, my lovely brother that I love with all my heart, god why did you take him from us, a child of 21 years of age, I’ll never stop asking god why this happened.

“You didn't deserve to go when god took you, he really did take the best, because thats what you are to me, my baby brother, the best brother.

“I love you so much Sammy, you broke my heart in a million pieces our child, it will never be goodbye, just until we meet again, fly high my brother, forever 21.”

One of Mr McInerney’s friends stated: “I can’t believe I’m writing this. Rest in peace Sammy Mac one of my best friends it just don't feel real Sammy.

"Was chatting to you yesterday, you’re in a better place now my friend, I hope you have a golden bed in heaven please god, watch over your family at this hard time,” they stated.

Friends shared their grief and pictures of Mr McInerney.

One said: “Rest in peace Sammy Mac, only a young boy with his whole life ahead of him, I hope you have a golden bed in heaven.”

Another wrote: “Lord in heaven, grant onto his soul to say the world is heartbroken would be an understatement. A lovely young boy 21, you’ll forever be 21 Sammy Mac, may your soul be in eternal paradise forever.”

One friend, who had spent time with Mr McInerney shortly before his untimely death, said: “Rip Sammy Mac, my friend, I can’t believe (we were) just getting food a few hours ago together in Limerick.

"Hope you get the best bed in heaven, until we meet again, my prayers got out to all your family.”

Another wrote: “RIP Sammy Mac, please god give your mother and father strength to get through this hard time.”

Another of Mr McInerney’s relatives shared photographs of him in a heartfelt online tribute, stating: “Please look at my beautiful (cousin) Sammy Mac, loveliest child in the world...Only a few days ago we were in my mamas...oh god you were so full of life, you're after breaking so many hearts, Rest In Peace.”

Local Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey said the town of Rathkeale was in “shock” and “a deep sadness” at Mr McInerney’s passing.

“The community is crestfallen and in deep mourning at this sad occasion.”

Mr Teskey said it was the “second consecutive fatal incident involving a car in the locality at Christmas time” and he reiterated his condolences to the family of local Traveller woman, Marguerita O’Rourke nee Sheridan, who died one year ago next Sunday, in Rathkeale, when a van collided with gates that she had been standing by at the time.

Appealing for witnesses to this morning’s fatal collision, Gardaí said: “Any road users, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling on the N21 between Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West between midnight and 1am are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 206 50, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.