LAST UPDATE | 1 Jul 2019
THE MAN IN his 20s who was killed following a hit-and-run in Co Limerick has been named as champion amateur boxer and 2024 Olympic prospect Kevin Sheehy.
The incident happened when Sheehy was struck by a jeep while walking at Hyde Road in Limerick city just after 5am today. Gardaí are now appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the road was closed for a time. His body has been removed for a post-mortem.
Sheehy was a prodigiously talented fighter and won Irish Intermediate and U22 heavyweight championships between 2017 and 2018, retaining his 22s title earlier this year.
The St Francis BC man also fought at Senior Elite level before his time, going all the way to the 2018 final on his first attempt aged 19. There, he was beaten by Dublin-Russian talent Kiril Afanasev who went on to reach the EU Championship quarter-finals months later.
Sheehy was considered a legitimate Paris 2024 Olympic prospect in a burgeoning Irish 91kg division. Only nine days ago won the Hull Box Cup, England’s largest Olympic-style underage boxing tournament.
He boxed for Ireland on the international stage on multiple occasions, including at the 2016 World Youth Championships in St Petersburg.
Tributes have been paid by those involved in the sport.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward after the vehicle, which is believed to be a black Mitsubishi Shogun jeep, failed to stop at the scene.
Investigators say anyone in the area around the time of the collision, who may have dash cam footage, should contact them at Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214 340.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
- With reporting from Gavan Casey
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