“HE SAID HE WAS BEING FOLLOWED” — THEN 16-YEAR-OLD BRYAN LOWE WAS FOUND AFTER A FATAL HIT-AND-RUN

Bryan Lowe was just 16.

He was riding his e-bike near Cloonlara, Co Clare, late Friday night when tragedy struck.

But investigators are now examining a disturbing detail that could change how the final moments of his life are understood.

Bryan had reportedly contacted a friend shortly before the incident and said he was being followed.

Minutes later, the teenager was found unresponsive at the roadside.

He could not be saved.

A TEENAGER WITH HIS WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF HIM

Bryan, from Cloonlara and Westbury, was a sixth-year student at St Munchin’s College in Limerick.

His school described him as a kind and respectful young man with a “big heart.”

Deputy principal Lorraine Shiels said Bryan should have been looking ahead to his Leaving Certificate, his future and all the possibilities that lay before him.

Instead, his classmates are now mourning him.

His family has been left devastated.

His mother, Crystal Lowe, shared photographs of her son and wrote simply:

“Love you my son. Heartbroken.”

His sister Chloe described Bryan as her only brother and the best uncle to her children.

She wrote that she wished he could simply call and tell her he was okay.

THEN CAME THE HIT-AND-RUN

Shortly after 11 p.m. on September 4, emergency services were alerted after an e-bike rider was found unresponsive on the L3050 at Cottage Cross, near Cloonlara.

Bryan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another vehicle involved in the collision failed to remain there.

Gardaí later appealed for information about a silver or gold Skoda Octavia, registration 05-C-5982, believed to have been in the Cloonlara/Castleconnell area around the time of the incident.

The vehicle is now a major focus of the investigation.

“HE WAS BEING FOLLOWED”

One of the most troubling details to emerge is the report that Bryan contacted a friend shortly before the collision and said he was being followed.

Gardaí are understood to be examining whether the teenager had been followed by people in the vehicle and whether there was an attempt to take his e-bike.

That possibility has not been established, and investigators continue to examine all circumstances surrounding Bryan’s death.

The Journal has also reported that the vehicle involved was later found partially burned out in Castleconnell, approximately 15 kilometres from the collision scene.

HIS MOTHER WANTS ANSWERS

For Bryan’s family, the questions are now unbearable.

Why was he on that road?

Who was driving the vehicle?

Was Bryan actually being followed?

And if so, why?

His mother has described herself as “heartbroken and traumatised.”

His sister has spoken about the future Bryan should have had — and the fact that he will never get to live it.

GARDAÍ ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

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

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who was travelling around Cloonlara or Castleconnell that night to check dashcam footage.

Residents and businesses have also been asked to review CCTV and doorbell-camera recordings.

Even footage that appears insignificant could potentially help investigators establish what happened before and after the collision.

For now, one of the most haunting details remains the message Bryan reportedly sent shortly before his final journey:

He said he was being followed.

Then, just hours later, a 16-year-old boy who had his whole life ahead of him was gone.