BREAKING: Uncle jailed over 'senseless loss of life' of his niece in hit-and-run collision in Limerick

A LIMERICK-father-of-four has been jailed for five years this Wednesday afternoon for the “violent and senseless loss of life” of his niece.

Danny O’Donoghue pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Marguerita (Maggie) O'Rourke (née Sheridan) in Rathkeale, County Limerick on December 21, 2024. 

At a sentencing hearing last October, the court heard that 21-year-old Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan), who had given birth to a baby boy just three weeks earlier, was about to open a steel gate when a Ford Transit van being driven by Mr O’Donoghue was rammed into the gate just after noon. 

The gate impacted Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) and she fell backwards. She suffered blunt force head and abdominal injuries and later died in UHL due to “injuries incompatible with life”.

The case was adjourned to this Wednesday to allow Judge Daly to consider his sentence.

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The judge said the tragedy is compounded by the fact Mr O’Donoghue is her uncle and the O’Rourke, Sheridan and O’Donoghue families are interconnected at many levels. 

Judge Daly spoke of “the impact such a violent and senseless loss of life” has had on the respective families.

“Marguerita was a young woman, aged just 21, a new wife, her son was only three-weeks-old when she was killed. She was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, relative and friend to many.

“I hope the conclusion of the criminal process will bring some closure. Whatever we say today cannot bring Marguerita back. The victim impact statements given by her husband Denis and father John powerfully set out the grief and the loss experienced by the Sheridan, O'Rourke, O’Donoghue families.

"I assure you, this has been taken into consideration. The strength and dignity shown by the families are the qualities and characteristics that will help you in time come to terms with the loss you have suffered,” said Judge Daly.

Judge Daly said Mr O’Donoghue consciously disregarded the rules of the road and engaged in an obviously dangerous manoeuvre by deliberately ramming gates.

“While he may not have had an intention beyond causing damage to the gates, his level of recklessness in taking such an action that might reasonably result in injury or death to another was great. A further aggravating factor was that he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” said Judge Daly.

In mitigation, the judge took into account the plea of guilty, remorse and admissions made by Mr O’Donoghue, aged 43, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, County Limerick.

He is also charged with causing criminal damage to a set of gates, property of Mary Teresa O'Rourke, at the same location of Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale on the same date, and two summons relating to failing to remain at the scene of a collision. 

Judge Daly imposed a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence with the last six months suspended. It was backdated to December 24, 2024 when he first entered custody. The other matters were taken into consideration.

The judge handed down a concurrent two-and-a-half-year sentence for the production of a machete at a separate location on the same date. 

There was no reaction from Mr O'Donoghue. Before he was led away by prison officers he was hugged and kissed by his wife.

Mr O’Donoghue was represented by Michael Bowman SC, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell.

The case was prosecuted by Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, with the assistance of Detective Garda Elaine O’Keeffe and Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.