Garda suspended after GAA manager and former player dies following hit-and-run

It is understood the inquiry is focusing on the alleged actions of an off-duty member of An Garda Síochána relating to the fatal crash in Drogheda.

The deceased man has been named as Niall McEneaney, a former Louth hurling player who managed Termonfeckin club St Fechin’s to the last two Louth senior hurling championship titles.

Emergency services were called to the Rathmullen Road in Drogheda shortly after 2.30am yesterday where a pedestrian was discovered seriously injured.

The vehicle involved had failed to remain at the scene and Mr McEneaney was pronounced dead a short time later.

As part of follow-up inquiries, gardaí recovered a vehicle of interest that is undergoing technical and forensic examination.

The crash did not involve an official patrol car. It was later confirmed that a garda was suspended from duty.

The incident has also been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc), which is investigating the crash.

Paying tribute to the deceased man, Louth GAA secretary Bob Doheny said: “Niall was a really down-to-earth fella and it’s hard to believe he has passed away.

“I played hurling with Niall with Wolfe Tones and he was a great hurler who also played for Louth. He led St Fechin’s to the last two Louth senior hurling championship titles and was a really passionate hurling man.

“On behalf of Louth GAA, I would like to extend sympathy to his family and those closest to him. He will be greatly missed and is a big loss to the Louth GAA community. He was someone who I saw as a future Louth senior hurling team manager.”

Mr McEneaney hurled and coached within Wolfe Tones for many years until they folded before joining Mattock Rangers as a player and helping the Collon club to its only Louth senior hurling championship final in 2011, when they lost to Knockbridge.

He played for Louth for many years and was corner-forward on the team that reached the inaugural Nicky Rackard Cup final in 2005, scoring a point in the loss to London at Croke Park.

He took the reins of St Fechin’s ahead of the 2022 season and helped the side to back-to-back championships as well as the 2022 Leinster junior club championship semi-final.

They also won the 2023 CúChulainn Hurling League Division 2 title under his guidance.

Yesterday, gardaí reported the incident to the watchdog under Section 102 (1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a referral where the conduct of a garda member may have resulted in the death of, or caused serious harm to, a person.

No arrests have yet been made and Gsoc is appealing for witnesses.

Gardaí in Drogheda have also asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward.

Additionally, individuals with camera footage, including motorists with dash-cam from the area at the time are asked to provide it to investigating gardaí.