Garda suspended after GAA coach dies in hit-and-run crash

The collision occurred in the early hours of St. Patrick’s Day.

Shortly after 2:30am on Sunday 17 March, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted after a pedestrian was found unresponsive on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda.

The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the vehicle involved failed to remain at the location.

“As part of ongoing inquiries, investigating Gardaí have since recovered a vehicle of interest, which will undergo technical and forensic examination,” a Garda statement released on Sunday morning read.

The victim of the hit-and-run crash has since been named locally as 42-year-old Niall McEneaney, who managed Termonfeckin senior hurling team St Fechins.

Gardaí later confirmed to JOE that a Garda member in the Northwest region has been suspended from duty in relation to the Drogheda crash.

They also said that the incident did not involve either an official Garda vehicle or a member of An Garda Síochána on duty.

Their statement reads:

“An Garda Síochána has made a referral under section 102 An Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended in relation to a Fatal Traffic Collision in Drogheda Co. Louth 17th March 2024.

“Following this referral, this incident is now under investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission further to section 98 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, as amended.

“An Garda Síochána will fully assist as required with this investigation, in accordance with Memorandum of understanding between An Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

“Any further enquiries are a matter for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.”