The death of a young nurse in a hit and run incident has left a “very dark cloud” over her community in Limerick, a local councillor has said. 

Áine O’Reilly, who was in her 30s, was on her way to work on Friday night when the three car collision took place on the N24 near Boher, outside Limerick city.

Following the crash, the driver of a second car was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment for non-life threatening injuries. 

Gardaí say the driver of the third car fled, leaving their car at the scene. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Fine Gael Cllr Noreen Stokes, who lives close to the O’Reilly family in Pallasgreen, said the community was in a state of shock. 

 “There's a very dark cloud hanging over Pallasgreen since Saturday morning, when the news went through the village that it was a local girl that was in the accident on the N24 on Friday night,” she explained. 

“People are shocked, a young woman going out to her job.”

Cllr Stokes described Ms O’Reilly as a “lovely, bright, vibrant, bubbly young woman”, who remained close to those she grew up with. 

“Áine just lives probably less than a quarter mile away from me,” Cllr Stokes continued. 

“A family very involved in the community; her Dad is a retired Garda, her Mum, a retired teacher. 

“She has three siblings, Eoin, James and Conor. 

“And she would be very involved in dealing with her school friends that she went to primary school with.

“They were all great buddies, still up to date in their thirties and just enjoyed life. It is desperately sad for her family.”

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash to get in contact and said they are following a “definite line of inquiry”.

Main image: Áine O'Reilly. Image: RIP.ie.