Sun. Nov 10th, 2024

Limerick man charged with dangerous driving causing death of Joe Drennan refused bail 

Kieran Fogarty (20) charged with three offences connected to death of talented young journalist.

A 20-year-old Limerick man has been refused bail after he was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Limerick Voice editor-in-chief, Joe Drennan.

Kieran Fogarty, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick is also charged with driving without insurance and driving without a driving licence, at Dublin Road, Limerick on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Joe Drennan (21), a fourth year journalism student at University of Limerick, was waiting at a bus stop when he was struck and killed by a car that had collided with another car.

At Limerick District Court on Tuesday, Garda Oliver Gee gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning Kieran Fogarty prior to the court sitting. Garda Gee said the accused made no reply to the charges after caution.

Mr Fogarty was represented in court by solicitor Darach McCarthy who asked Judge Carol Anne Coolican to grant legal aid due to the seriousness of the matter.

Mr McCarthy also applied to have the bail hearing heard in camera, or not in open court. 

Opposing this request, Sergeant Aisling O’Neill of Roxboro Road Garda Station said the State did not have any reason for having the bail hearing heard in camera.

Refusing the application, Judge Coolican said that “justice needs to be administered in public”.

During the bail hearing Detective Garda Shane O’Neil outlined the nature and seriousness of the alleged offences.

After considering the application Judge Coolican refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to  appear before Limerick District Court via video-link on January 23.

Members of Joe Drennan’s family attended court on Tuesday morning.

Originally from Knocknagad, Mountrath, Co Laois, Mr Drennan was a talented young journalist who was shortlisted for Journalist of the Year at the 2023 Student Media Awards.

He was appointed editor-in-chief of Limerick Voice in September 2023, just weeks before his tragic death, which occurred just two weeks after his 21st birthday.