Evidence and an emotional victim impact statement were heard today regarding the death of Joe Drennan. The 21-year-old UL Journalism student was killed in a hit-and-run incident as he waited at a bus stop at Dublin Road, Castletroy
Kieran Fogarty, aged 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, previously plead guilty to several charges including dangerous driving causing the death of former Limerick Voice Editor-in-Chief Joe Drennan last year.
Judge Colin Daly heard evidence about the fatal incident from the Counsel for the Prosecution, John O’Sullivan BL along with Inspector Paul Sutton.
The full charges include dangerous driving causing death; two counts of failing to offer Mr. Drennan assistance knowing that he was dead or injured; two counts of failing to report the incident to gardai; criminal damage to a vehicle, dangerous driving, driving without insurance; driving without a driving licence; failing to give appropriate information to any person who was entitled to demand such information.
Mr Fogarty, represented by Mark Nicholas SC, was on bail at the time of the incident and was not supposed to be driving.
Mr Fogarty wad arrested in Cork following ‘insurmountable evidence’ being gathered by Gardaí.
Messages on Facebook obtained by gardai from Mr Fogarty read “I bounced off that wall and took that young fella with me and I landed down there stuck around that pole.”
Mr Fogarty, despite using his constitutional right to silence in the first two interviews after being arrested, subsequently made admissions and apologies after this.
“That apology rings hollow” Inspector Sutton said when responding to Mr Forgartys representation.
Sarah Drennan, in her victim impact statement, highlightedthe momumental loss her and her family suffered following the death of her brother. “It was not an accident; it was a choice. He was not just a statistic he’s my brother.
“Joe was taken in the most violent and reckless way possible. Everyday I am haunted by the thoughts of how he felt. Those thoughts keep me up at night.”
“He [Fogarty] should never have been driving in the first place. Joe received a death sentence that night.”
She described Joe as “truly one of a kind.”
“His greatest ambition was to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Due to the nature of the case, Judge Colin Daly adjourned sentencing until January 30, 2025.