Convicted killer dies after fall from moving car

A convicted killer died after he fell out of a moving car and was hit by another vehicle in Co Limerick.

Tony O’Brien, 31, originally from Limerick City but recently with an address in Tralee Co Kerry, was previously jailed for seven years for manslaughter.

Mr O’Brien was a back-seat passenger in a Toyota Avensis on the N69 road near Kildimo, Co Limerick, at 1am on Saturday. After falling out of the car at Bolane, he was hit by an oncoming BMW.

It is understood the Mr O’Brien was returning to Limerick from Kerry with friends and may have opened the door of the car to be sick when he fell out.

The driver of the BMW remained at the scene. Mr O’Brien’s driver returned briefly to the scene and shouted at the BMW driver before fleeing in the direction of Limerick City.

The driver of the BMW, a 67-year-old local man, was not injured but was said to have been traumatised by the incident.

A burnt-out Avensis believed to the car Mr O’Brien fell out of was found later on Saturday in the Kennedy Park area of Limerick city.

Anyone who may have seen the 99 WH reg light blue Avensis is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650.

Detectives are still trying to piece together how Mr O’Brien fell out of the car. One line of investigation is that he may have opened the door of the car to get sick.

Gardaí believe there was at least one other person besides Mr O’Brien and the driver in the car, which was not stolen.

Gardaí are also speaking to another motorist who came across the scene.

“Our appeal is twofold,” said Chief Supt Dave Sheahan. “We are appealing for the driver and whatever other passengers were in the car to come forward so we can get a clearer picture of what happened.”

Mr O’Brien was jailed for seven years in 2010 for the manslaughter of Keith Ryan at Fernbank, O’Callaghan Strand, Limerick, on May 25, 2006.

Mr Ryan, who was killed two days before his 24th birthday, choked to death on his own blood after being stamped, punched, and kicked in the head in an unprovoked attack by three assailants.