AN Irish champion boxer and Olympic hopeful has been killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Limerick.
Kevin Sheehy (20) died after he was struck by a car as he walked on Hyde Road in the city yesterday around 4.40am.
It is understood Mr Sheehy had been at a house party celebrating Limerick’s Munster hurling final victory over Tipperary shortly before the collision.
The young sportsman from John Carew Park in Limerick was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí said the driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene. A black Mitsubishi SUV, believed to have been involved, was later found abandoned in the north of the city.
The car was not burned out and had a partial registration plate with WV52 on it.
Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche said:
"We are currently examining CCTV in the area and conducting house to house enquiries and I want to appeal to anyone who was in the Hyde Road area this morning at approximately 4.40am or anyone who is in position to help us with our investigation to contact the incident room."
He added: "I would also ask that people in the community remain calm at this time and I want to reassure them that the matter is being fully investigated by the gardai in Limerick".
Mr Sheehy was regarded as a promising young boxer, winning five national titles in boxing and was the under-22 champion for the past two years.
He boxed for Ireland on the international stage on multiple occasions, including at the 2016 World Youth Championships in St Petersburg and was considered a legitimate Paris 2024 Olympic prospect.
He and his partner were expecting their first baby in around five weeks.
Tributes have been paid on social media to Mr Sheehy, a member of the St Francis' Boxing Club.
In a Facebook post, the club said it was "one of the toughest days ever in the history of our club".
"We will open the club this evening between 6 and 7pm for any of our members or friends that want to come along and chat about this tragedy or just be around others that are feeling the same loss."
