The man who suffered a fatal incident in a late night hit-and-run in Co Louth over the weekend is identified as Niall McEneaney. The well-respected GAA coach, aged 42, from the Drogheda region was declared deceased right at the hit-and-run scene after being struck by a car around 2:30am on Sunday.
The car involved in the occurrence, registered under an inactive garda from the northwestern region, led to the suspension of the garda. The investigation is in progress to disclose if the garda was at the wheel at that moment.
Mr McEneaney was walking back to his home on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda from a night mingling with friends when the accident took place. He is remembered as a model citizen who was passionate about hurling and life by the local independent councillor, Declan Power. According to Mr Power, not one person had a negative comment about McEneaney who he had been familiar with for nearly three decades. “Heartbroken doesn’t even start to cover it,” Mr Power said on Monday.
Mr McEneaney had been an active hurler for Louth. He managed the St Fechin’s premier hurling team in Termonfeckin which emerged as winners in the recent senior hurling championships in Louth.
The garda, along with the Garda Ombudsman Commission, commenced parallel investigations into the death and have requested any eye witnesses to step forward.
The Garda stated that the driver of the car did not stop at the incident scene. The car was located and confiscated promptly for a comprehensive technical and forensic examination.
The private car is registered under a currently serving police officer of An Garda Síochána. The matter is investigated by Gsoc under section 102 An Garda Síochána Act 2005 following a reference by a superintendent. This provision enables the body to probe any situation of death or grave injury that might have been caused by the actions of the police.
Gsoc has made an appeal for witnesses to come forward and share any details or encounters they might have observed at the incident time and place. It has also communicated its interest in receiving any footage captured on CCTV, dashcams, or mobile phones. These confirmations were made in a formal statement by the commission.
The Gardaí have also requested that any observers of the event to step up. They have urged anyone with any form of information to reach out to the Drogheda Garda station on 041-987-4200. They can also make use of the Garda Confidential Line, number 1800-666-111 or visit any Garda station.
Based on the available data last updated on Thursday, March 14th, this unfortunate incident marks the tentative 44th death on the roads of Ireland for this current year.