UPDATE: Woman killed in Limerick hit-and-run named locally

A young mother, aged 21, who died following a hit-and-run incident in Rathkeale, Co Limerick has been named locally as Marguerita Sheridan.

Her husband has led tributes to the young mum who passed away in University Hospital Limerick on Saturday.

She had given birth to a baby boy just three weeks ago.

Marguerita was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after the driver of a silver transit van allegedly rammed the gates of a property at Bank Place, Rathkeale (pictured below) at 12.15pm on Saturday. It is understood Marguerita was standing in proximity to the gates at the time. 

The vehicle, a silver Ford Transit van, failed to remain at the scene.

The young mother was in a critical condition at UHL before passing away in the early evening.

Countless tributes have been paid on Facebook following the death of Marguerita.

John Sheridan wrote: “My best, my baby girl, I can’t believe it. I lost my Maggie today. Rest in peace.”

Marguerita's husband shared a photo of his wife and baby son in tribute on his Facebook page. They got married only a year ago.

An emotional video has been shared on Facebook of an aunt and relatives of Marguerita saying The Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary with a priest in a church shortly after the incident. Prayers were being said for Marguerita as, the video states, she was undergoing emergency surgery.

“Your hearts are full of love for her,” said the priest who joined hands with the distraught relatives.

Marguerita (pictured below) is being remembered as the “most kind-hearted person” and “everyone’s friend”.

One mourner said she couldn’t believe she was writing a tribute. 

“Please watch over your beautiful baby boy and your husband and family at this hard time. When you went to heaven today you took a big part of Rathkeale with you. Love you Marguerita and will forever miss you,” he wrote.

Another said that Marguerita was the loveliest person. 

“There was not a bad bone in your body. I was only with ye last week, chatting to you about Christmas and seeing your little baby. This is the worst news I have ever heard. Rest in perfect paradise, Marguerita,” she wrote.

One person said she was typing a message of condolence with tears in her eyes.

“You were two kind for this world. My prayers are with your baby boy. I hope you have a golden bed in heaven.”

A major garda operation has commenced with investigating officers trying to piece together the exact details of the incident.

There is a large garda presence in the west Limerick town this Sunday.

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Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

“Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area between 11.30am and 1pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rathkeale garda station on 069 63222, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station,” said a garda spokesperson.

No funeral arrangements have been announced.