Gardaí have issued an appeal for a car in relation to the death of Bryan Lowe (16), who was killed in a hit-and-run in Co Clare on Friday night.
The incident occurred near Bryan’s home in Cloonlara, on the Clare-Limerick border on Friday around 11pm when he was riding an electric bike.
Emergency services alerted Gardaí after Bryan was found unresponsive by the roadside on at Cottage Cross near Cloonlara.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second vehicle involved in the incident failed to remain at the scene.
On Sunday afternoon, gardaí issued a new statement and picture of a car.
“Gardaí are interested in speaking to the driver or occupants of a silver/gold colour Skoda Octavia, registration number 05-C-5982, driving in the vicinity of Clonlara/Castelconnell Co Clare between the hours of 6’00pm on Friday 4th September and 11.00am on Saturday 5th September 2026,” they said.
Bryan was a 6th Year student at St Munchin’s College in Limerick.
In a tribute, the school’s deputy principal Lorraine Shiels described Bryan as an “absolute gentleman to meet on the corridor”.
“He would do anything asked of him without complaint. There was a lovely kindness to him and a big heart. He will be sorely missed by everyone in our community,” she said in a statement on Instagram.
“It is with profound sadness we have been informed of the tragic passing of one of our 6th Year students, Bryan Lowe. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to Bryan’s mom Crystal, sister’s Chloe and Jane and all his friends here in St Munchin’s College.
“It is heartbreaking to lose one of our boys at any time but particularly while they are still a student in our school. Bryan should be looking ahead to his Leaving Certificate, to his future and to all the possibilities that lay before him.
“Instead, we are coming together to mourn one of our student’s whose life has been taken far too soon,” she added.
Ms Shiels added that the school would be open on Sunday from midday for any students who would like to come in for a cup of tea.
In a tribute, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe, said the death of the boy was a “terrible tragedy”.
“There are no words,” he wrote in a post on social media. “Like many of people in our local area, I have woken up to this heartbreaking news.”
“My heart goes out to his poor family. Please keep them in your prayers today. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the boy’s family, friends and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”
Mr Crowe appealed to those who were travelling in the area to contact the gardaí.
“Likewise, local residents and businesses should check CCTV or doorbell cameras for anything that might assist gardaí,” he said.
“Even something that seems insignificant could be important. If you have any information or footage, please contact An Garda Síochána.
“A devastating morning for our community. May this young boy rest in peace,” he added.
Fianna Fáil councillor for Shannon, Patrick O’Gorman, also paid his condolences to the boy’s family.
“I’d like to pass on my sympathies to the family of the young fella that was killed last night in my constituency,” he told the Irish Independent.
“It’s an awful tragedy to hit in any area. It’s very, very sad when it comes to home.
“I’d like to pass on my condolences to the family involved in the tragedy that happened last night,” he added.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. Road users who were in the Cloonlara area at the time and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Henry Garda Station on (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.