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 teenagers who were travelling in the same car were seriously injured.
His body was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick, where a postmortem examination is due to be carried out.
Simon “Sammy” McInerney, Rathkeale, who died in a road traffic collision at Templeglantine, Co Limerick, this Thursday morning.
Pic: Facebook
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday, December 18.
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 were travelling in the other car involved, and 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 said: “You will always be number one to me.
“Please will someone tell me why life is 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.
“You didn’t deserve to go when God took you, he really did take the best, because that’s what you are to me, my baby brother, the best brother.
“I love you so much Sammy, it will never be goodbye, just until we meet again, fly high my brother, forever 21.”
One of Mr McInerney’s friends wrote: “I can’t believe I’m writing this. Rest in peace Sammy Mac, one of my best friends. 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 said.
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,” he said.
Mr Teskey said it was the “second consecutive fatal incident involving a car in the locality at Christmas time”.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
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 1:00am 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.