‘OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN’: FAMILY PAYS TRIBUTE TO 16-YEAR-OLD BRYAN LOWE AFTER DEADLY E-BIKE HIT-AND-RUN

A grieving family has been left “heartbroken and traumatised” after 16-year-old Bryan Lowe was killed in a suspected hit-and-run while riding his e-bike in Co Clare.

Bryan, from Cloonlara and Westbury in southeast Clare, was found unresponsive beside the L3050 at Cottage Cross, near Cloonlara village, shortly after 11pm on Friday, September 4.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the teenager was pronounced dead.

Gardaí said another vehicle was involved in the collision but failed to remain at the scene. A major investigation is now under way.

‘I HAVE NO WORDS FOR THE PAIN’

Bryan’s family has shared heartbreaking tributes following his sudden death.

His mother described herself as “heartbroken and traumatised.”

His sister also paid tribute to her younger brother, describing the devastating reality of knowing that they would never see him again and mourning the future he should have had.

An aunt wrote that Bryan had died under “cruel circumstances”, while a family friend described the tragedy as “every parent’s worst nightmare.”

The tributes have painted a picture of a much-loved teenager whose life was only just beginning.

‘AN ABSOLUTE GENTLEMAN’

Bryan was a sixth-year student at St Munchin’s College in Limerick, where his death has sent shockwaves through the school community.

Deputy principal Lorraine Shiels said the school had learned of his death with “profound sadness”.

She described Bryan as an “absolute gentleman”, saying he had a natural kindness and a big heart.

“He would do anything asked of him without complaint,” she said, adding that he would be deeply missed by everyone at the school.

The school was due to open its doors for students who wanted to come in, talk and support one another following the tragedy.

For a teenager preparing for his Leaving Certificate, Bryan should have been looking ahead to his future.

Instead, his classmates and teachers are now mourning a life cut tragically short.

GARDAÍ SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

The collision happened near the Clare-Limerick border, around seven kilometres from Limerick city.

The road was closed while Garda forensic collision investigators examined the scene, and the coroner was notified. A post-mortem examination is due to take place.

Detectives from Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick are leading the investigation.

Authorities are urgently appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who was travelling through the Cloonlara area around the time of the collision.

Drivers with dash-cam footage, as well as residents and businesses with CCTV or doorbell-camera recordings, are being urged to check their footage.

Even footage that appears insignificant could potentially help investigators establish what happened.

A COMMUNITY LEFT WAITING

The investigation has since moved forward, with Gardaí seeking information about a silver or gold Skoda Octavia believed to have been in the Cloonlara/Castleconnell area between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

But for Bryan’s family, the investigation is secondary to the unbearable loss of a son, brother, nephew and friend.

He was just 16.

A young man with a future ahead of him — now remembered through photographs, school tributes and messages from those who loved him.

As Gardaí continue searching for answers, Bryan’s family is left with the question no parent should ever have to face:

How does a family say goodbye to a child who should still have had his whole life ahead of him?