The victim has been named locally as Áine O’Reilly, who worked in Shannondoc, an out of hours health clinic in Limerick city. She was the only daughter of a retired guard and teacher.
The crash occurred at around 11.10pm on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, Co Limerick.
Gardaí confirm they are now following a “definite line of inquiry” after one of the drivers fled, leaving his vehicle behind.
A man in his 40s was also injured in the crash.
Ms O’Reilly, believed to be from Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem will take place.
She has been described as a caring woman, with her loss leaving the local community in mourning.
Parish priest of Pallasgreen and Dromkeen, Reverend Tomas O’Connell, extended his sympathies to the family.
“I know the O’Reilly family; they are well respected in the parish. At this minute there’s a pall of gloom over the place as a result of the tragic accident last night.
“Our thoughts are very much with her parents Anne and Eugene and Áine’s brothers, Owen, James and Connor, today and all their extended family.”
The N24 in Limerick, where the crash occurred, Photo: Brendan Gleeson
News in 90 seconds, Sunday February 15
Maurice Barrett, manager at Inver Old Pallas Service Station in Pallasgreen, also expressed the upset locally.
“People are devastated for the family. You hear of these accidents, but when it hits your local village, it feels more real.
“It’s what everyone is talking about this morning. She’d be a nice, quiet girl. She travelled to Lourdes in the past as a youth helper to assist elderly people in the village.
“For her to be going on duty to work and her life to be taken from her, people are numbed and shocked.”
Fianna Fáil councillor for Cappamore-Kilmallock, Martin Ryan, said: “I am absolutely broken to hear the news for another innocent family. It’s a tragedy.”
A man aged in his 40s, who was the sole occupant of the second car, was taken to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.
The third driver fled the scene, with gardaí initially appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Gardaí confirmed on Sunday morning that they are now “following a definite line of inquiry” and they thanked the public for their assistance.
In a statement, a Garda spokesperson added: “Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N24 near Grange West, Boher, Co. Limerick between 10:45pm and 11:30pm on Friday 13th February 2026 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.”
“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.”
The N24 between the R505 and L1132 was closed yesterday pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.