'It's like a bad nightmare': Heartbroken sister's tribute to man killed in Limerick collision

THE YOUNG man who perished in a road traffic collision in County Limerick in the early hours of this Thursday morning has been named locally as Simon “Sammy” McInerney.

His sister Josceline, in a moving post on Facebook, said: “It’s like a bad nightmare I’m not waking up from.”

READ NEXT: Popular County Limerick take away restaurant gutted in blaze

Sammy, aged 21, of Rathkeale, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the two-vehicle collision. The incident occurred on the N21 at Ballymurragh West, Templeglantine at approximately 12.50am. 

Three teenagers - two female juveniles and an adult male - were brought to University Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Kerry for treatment of serious injuries. They were all in a vehicle driven by Sammy.

A male, aged in his 20s and believed to be from Ukraine, was the driver of the other car. He was brought to University Hospital Kerry with non-life-threatening injuries.

Many tributes have been paid online to the late Sammy including from John Sheridan, father of Marguerita O'Rourke (née Sheridan), who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Rathkeale last Christmas. 

“Rest in peace, Sammy. Hope you get the best bed in heaven. Watch over your family, just sad times,” wrote Mr Sheridan on Facebook. 

Josceline, a sister of Sammy's, wrote in an emotional post: “Please, Our Lady, give me the strength to write this down because I know in my heart I’m not strong enough to lose you, our Sammy. It’s like a bad nightmare I’m not waking up from, my lovely brother that I love with all my heart.” 

Josceline said her baby brother was the best brother and best uncle.

“I’ll never get over you or ever be the same again. I love you so much, Sammy. You broke my heart in a million pieces. It will never be goodbye, just until we meet again. Fly high my brother, forever 21,” wrote Josceline.

She said Sammy and his girlfriend only made it “official” a few days ago and were so happy and in love.

Another person wrote in tribute: “Rest in peace, Sammy. It’s just heartbreaking coming up on Christmas - a lovely young boy with his whole life ahead of him.”

Local councillor Adam Teskey, in expressing his heartfelt condolences, said this is going to have a harrowing effect in our community in Rathkeale.

“There's definitely another dark cloud for the second year-in-a-row over the town. The family as a whole would be well-known and respected in the community. My sympathies go out to them at this time and to all the others involved in the crash,” said Cllr Teskey.

The Fine Gael councillor said his thoughts are also with members of the fire service, gardai and paramedics who attended the scene. “This obviously was a scene that will live in their memory for a long time,” he said.

Cllr Teskey said the community of Rathkeale will not be found wanting when it comes to offering support for those involved in this tragic situation.

The section of the N21 has reopened this Thursday afternoon after a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators was completed.

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 1am 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," said a garda spokesperson.