‘Love you always’: Father and friends pay tribute to Limerick hit-and-run victim

TRIBUTES have begun pouring in for a Limerick teenager killed in a hit-and-run collision who had “his whole life in front of him”.

Rory O’Connor, from Athea, died in the early hours of Saturday morning after he was struck by a van in Listowel that failed to remain at the scene. Rory only celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday.

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision on the N69 at Dromin Upper, Listowel, County Kerry.

The outpouring of grief is palpable as people pay their respects to a young man whose loss has left the whole community heartbroken.

Athea Community Council led tributes on Saturday night, sharing a touching memory of Rory reading a poem at the retirement event for their local doctor, Dr Kieran Murphy.

“It was a lovely act of kindness and community spirit that has stayed with us,” they wrote.

Rory’s father Pat wrote on social media: “Love you always Rory”.

Rory is survived by his beloved parents Pat and Mary and siblings.

Friends have shared photos on Instagram of many happy memories with Rory. They paint a picture of a popular teenager who had many friends and lived life to the fullest.

The fifth year student in Coláiste Íde agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale loved hurling and supported his friends at the Limerick minor matches on their journey to All-Ireland success this year.

“Rest in peace Rory. We’re gonna miss you forever king,” wrote one friend while another said: “RIP Rory. Gonna miss u bro.”

Rory was described as “an amazing, kind, funny, bursting with character young man”.

Minister of State Niall Collins expressed his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Rory.

"It is an awful tragedy and everybody in the community is completely shocked at his untimely passing. Rory was a young man with his whole life in front of him.

“Athea is a tight-knit community and I know they will do everything they can to support the O'Connor family in the days, weeks and months ahead," said Mr Collins.

Abbeyfeale-based councillor, Francis Foley said: “It is with great shock and sadness that we heard of the tragic passing of Rory. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

“The whole community of Athea and surrounding areas, I know, will be there to support Rory’s family in the coming days and weeks,” said Cllr Foley.

May he rest in peace.