Heartbroken father mourns 'true legend' ahead of candlelit vigil for young mother killed in hit and run

The family of a young woman killed in a hit and run in Rathkeale last weekend is to remember her at a candlelit vigil on Tuesday afternoon.

Marguerita “Maggie” Sheridan, 21, died after a silver Ford Transit van collided with gates at the entrance to a property, pinning her against a wall, last Saturday afternoon.

A man arrested Monday in connection with Ms Sheridan’s death remains in Garda custody. He must be released or charged by Tuesday evening.

READ MORE: Man arrested and van examined in Rathkeale fatal hit and run investigation

READ MORE: Young mother killed in Limerick hit and run celebrated birth of baby son three weeks ago

Three weeks ago, Ms Sheridan became a mother for the first time, when she gave birth to a son. The driver of the van involved in the fatal collision fled the scene without rendering assistance to Ms Sheridan. On Monday, Gardaí recovered a van they suspect was the vehicle involved.

The scene of the hit-and-run incident in Rathkeale, Co Limerick
(Image: Brendan Gleeson)

Ms Sheridan’s father John Sheridan posted a notice on Facebook inviting people to “gather in remembrance” of his daughter, at a candlelit vigil, at a crib located on the grounds of the old Abbey in Rathkeale town.

“We invite you to gather in remembrance of Marguerita Sheridan, a cherished soul taken too soon. This vigil will honour her life and provide a space for community healing,” the notice read. Those attending were asked to bring a candle with them for the vigil at 4pm.

Mr Sheridan posted videos of his late daughter “Maggie” preparing for her wedding day in December last year. The heartbroken father thanked the emergency services who went to assist his daughter at the scene of last Saturday’s hit and run, as well as local people who had rallied around the family since the tragedy.

“I want to say thanks to the Guards, the nurses, the doctors, the priests, the settled people in Rathkeale, the Travelling people, for their messages, the local shops, hotels, and for everyone who called to my house,” Mr Sheridan said.

Gardai attend the scene of the incident in Rathkeale
(Image: Brendan Gleeson)

“Rest in peace my beautiful daughter Marguerita Sheridan, you are true legend.” he added. Posting photos of the his daughter on horseback, Mr Sheridan stated: “Rip my daughter Maggie, her life was horses.”

Gardaí said a post mortem had been completed on Ms Sheridan’s body to help determine the nature of her injuries and the cause of her death. Gardaí said that, “for operational reasons”, they were not disclosing the results of the autopsy.

Anyone with video footage including dash cam footage of the hit and run or the van involved is asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí in Rathkeale.

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