Limerick mum who died in collision was 'a mother like no other'

A YOUNG mum who lost her life in a tragic road collision on Sunday has been remembered as "a mother like no other" who would "light up a dark room".

Shannen O’Halloran, aged in her late 20s, of Dooradoyle, died following the single-vehicle collision just outside Pallasgreen in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Her partner, Paul Bennett, aged in his mid-30s, was a passenger in the car. The Moyross man was rushed to University Hospital Limerick where he was treated for “serious injuries”.

Two children in the vehicle – a girl and a toddler boy – also received medical treatment but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Fr Noel Murphy, of St Paul’s Parish, said it was a "terrible tragedy".

"On behalf of our parish I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to her family and wish her partner and two children a speedy recovery.

"It is a very, very difficult time for all of them following this terrible tragedy," said Fr Murphy.

The late Ms O’Halloran was a popular nail and eyelash technician at Revive One Stop Studio.

Her colleague, Aisling Duffy said the salon will never be the same without Ms O’Halloran and her "beautiful soul, big bubbly personality and unbelievable gift of the gab".

"I loved your bones. You are one of the kindest sweetest girls I knew. I am just in total disbelief. How we will all continue to work without you I just do not know," said Ms Duffy, who described Ms O’Halloran as "a mother like no other" who would "light up a dark room".

One of her many friends told the Limerick Leader that Ms O’Halloran was "pure kind-hearted".

"She was always up for the laugh. She was there for anyone to talk. You could text her at any time and always get a reply. She was always the funniest one in the room. She just loved everyone, pure kind-hearted," said her friend, who described Ms O’Halloran as a “wonderful, caring mum”.

"Her kids came first. She loved her children to bits," said the friend, who also spoke of Ms O’Halloran’s talent working in beauty salons.

"She was a brilliant nail technician and was finally getting to do her eyelashes in a salon which she trained for," said the friend.

Another person who knew Shannen told the Leader: "She will be sadly missed – a beautiful young girl with her whole life ahead of her. There are no words."

BREAKING: Woman dies and children hospitalised in Limerick collision

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has information, who may have witnessed the incident at Kilduff, Pallasgreen on the N24 at approximately 3.30am on Sunday morning, or who may have video footage (including dash-cam), to contact Henry Street on 061 212400, Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111, or any station.

The N24 road at Pallasgreen was closed for much of Sunday to allow for a technical examination of the scene by forensic collision investigators.

Parish priest of Pallasgreen and Templebraden, Fr Tomas O'Connell said the local community was very saddened to hear of the road traffic collision on Sunday morning. He said prayers were said for the young woman and her family at 10.30am Mass in Templebraden church.

"It is an awful, awful thing to happen. The thoughts and prayers from the community of Pallasgreen-Templebraden are with the woman who lost her life and her family," said Fr O’Connell.