Man who died in fatal single-vehicle collision in County Limerick is named locally

A MAN who died after volunteering as a motorbike marshal at a charity event earlier in the day, has been named locally. 

John Sheehan, a native of Granagh, died last night (Sunday, October 12, 2025) in a fatal single-vehicle road traffic collision. 

The collision happened around 7pm on the R519 - the road between Kilmeedy and Dromcollogher, in a townland called Callahow. 

The road remained closed for a considerable period to allow for a forensic examination. 

The motorcyclist, who was 57-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene and Limerick Live understands that he had volunteered his time at a charity event earlier that day. 

He had been helping to direct traffic and marshal for an event, run by the Rockhill-Bruree Defibrillator Association and he was known within those circles for giving up his time, almost on a weekly basis, to help out at charity events. 

They held a vintage run in memory of Declan ‘Doc’ Doherty, with cars, tractors, commercials and bikes all welcome. More than 100 vehicles were registered and the event raised more than €3,000 for the defibrillator association. 

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TD Richard O’Donoghue, who lives in the Granagh parish and is also a fellow motorbike enthusiast, told Limerick Live, that Mr Sheehan was well-known within the biker and vintage communities and would always give his time freely as a volunteer marshal. 

Deputy O’Donoghue said: “I was in Strand last week at a charity event and he was there as well. He recently got a crane licence and would have worked as a machinery driver for years. 

“He lived in Dublin for a long time, but has been helping out at community events since he came back to the locality.”

He told Limerick Live: “I’ve known John for a long time and it’s very sad to see. I got a call late last night and I’m very sorry to his family for such a loss, and to all of his friends and people within the wider community who would have known him. God rest his soul.”

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death will take place in University Hospital Limerick. 

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who might have information or dash-cam footage to contact them in Henry Street garda station on 061 212400, the garda confidential line on 1800 666111, or any garda station. 

They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was travelling in the area between 6.15pm and 7.15pm on Sunday, October 12. 

Mr Sheehan is survived by his mother and two sisters and funeral details are, as of yet, unknown.