Bryan Lowe's mother says 'eye for an eye' as she calls on gardai to solve case

The mother of a teenager killed in a hit-and-run says she's been told the coffin may need to be closed - as she appealed to gardai to find those responsible. Tragic Limerick native Bryan Lowe (16), who was riding an e-bike, was found unresponsive on the side of the L3050 at Cottage Cross near Cloonlara in Co Clare at around 11pm last Friday night. Now his heartbroken mother Crystal has taken to social media and told of how she wasn't allowed to see her son's remains due to the nature of his injuries. "My son died on his own, I wasn't with him. I wanted to pray over him but I wasn't allowed. "He was murdered. I heard he's no teeth and more than likely the coffin has to be closed. That says it all," she wrote. Ms Lowe, who previously stated that her son was "murdered" also called on gardai to solve the case - stating that she was ready to pursue it herself if need be. "If the guards won't do their job I'll do it for them. My only son," she said. She also claimed that her son was "followed from Corbally to Clolara" by a number of people who had "robbed him of his hard working money and his coat." The grieving mother, who was also involved in a balloon release in memory of her son also wrote on social media: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." Her posts come amid many tributes to the young man - including from his aunt - who described him as a hard worker. "Our Bryan. Aka 'The working Lad' never in my lifetime seen a young lad with such powerful work ethic and ability. Such an inspiration to any young lad. Broken hearted," she said. Local TD Cathal Crowe said it had been a "heartbreaking weekend" for the family of Bryan Lowe, who was a pupil at St Munchin's College. "This morning he should be heading off with a bag in his back to St. Munchin's College but instead his distraught family are making arrangements for his funeral," he said in a statement. "I have met many young locals, neighbours and some past pupils of mine in the past 48 hours. They too are traumatised by what has taken place. "Whilst Bryan's family mourn, I think it's important for all of us to call this for what it is - MURDER - This wasn't an unfortunate accident! "Anyone who knows any details about Friday night, in particular who was was driving / travelling as passengers within the Skoda Octavia 05-C-5982, needs to immediately speak with Gardaí. CCTV and dash-cam footage is also essential," he said. The Irish Mirror reported over the weekend that gardai have established that Bryan texted an associate to say he believed he was being followed, before he was struck. He also told the same person to contact the Gardai if he wasn't home soon. One theory being explored by gardai is that the teen was being followed by people who wanted to steal his e-bike. A source said: "The belief now is that there was an attempt to take the e-bike off the lad killed; he got away from the individuals but was followed and struck." In an update on Sunday, Gardai said they are hunting the driver and occupants of a Skoda Octavia in relation to the fatal hit-and-run. Officers said they want to speak to the driver and occupants of a silver/gold-coloured Skoda Octavia with registration plate 05-C-5982, which was driving in the vicinity of Clonlara and Castelconnell on Friday evening and Saturday morning. In a statement, Gardai said they are "continuing to appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Cloonlara, on the Clare-Limerick border, on Friday 4th September 2026. "Shortly after 11pm, emergency services alerted Gardaí after an e-bike rider, a male in his mid-teens, was found unresponsive by the roadside on the L3050 at Cottage Cross near Cloonlara. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. "A second vehicle involved in the incident failed to remain at the scene. "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. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí. "Road users who were in the Cloonlara/Castleconnell 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. "Investigations are ongoing."