The hit and run incident, which resulted in Joe Drennan’s death, took place on October 13, 2023.
Kieran Fogarty (20) appeared in Limerick’s District Court earlier today, Wednesday, April 10, to be formally charged with seven additional offences in relation to a hit and run incident which caused the death of 21-year-old Joe Drennan.
Joe, who was originally from Knocknagad, Mountrath in County Laois, was an award-winning fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick and editor-in-chief of the Limerick Voice 2023/2024 publication.
In January, Kieran Fogarty of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston was charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance, and driving without a driving licence at Dublin Road, Limerick on Friday, October 13, 2023.
This Wednesday, Sergeant Sean Murray, prosecuting, said there were seven new charges related to this incident before Limerick District Court.
Today, Mr Fogarty was charged with failing to offer Mr Drennan assistance knowing that he was dead or injured and did so with intent to escape from civil or criminal liability; criminal damage to a vehicle; and dangerous driving at College Road, Castletroy.
Mr Fogarty was also charged with a second count in relation to failing to offer assistance to Mr Drennan, and failing to give appropriate information to any person who was entitled to demand such information.
Additionally, the accussed was further charged with two counts in relation to failing to report the occurrence to Gardaí.
Garda Oliver Gee gave evidence of arresting, charging, and cautioning Mr Fogarty at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street at 10.35am this Wednesday.
The court was told Mr Fogarty “made no reply to any of the charges.”
Sgt Murray informed the court there are now a total of ten charges: “The DPP’s directions are for trial on indictment in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. There is no consent to the accused going forward on a signed plea of guilty. He is in custody.”
Mr Fogarty’s solicitor, Ian McNamara, informed the courtvhe was not making a bail application on behalf of his client.
Judge Patricia Harney remanded Mr Fogarty in continuing custody to appear via video link in Limerick District Court on April 16 for service of the book of evidence.
At a bail hearing in January, Gardaí alleged that leading up to the fatal hit and run, Mr Fogarty was seen driving a black coloured BMW “dangerously” and “at speed”. The accused overtook a Garda patrol car at speed while travelling from Annacotty towards Limerick City, the bail hearing heard.
Gardaí claimed they activated their patrol car’s blue lights and sirens and followed Mr Fogarty “at a safe distance”, but that Mr Fogarty continued at speed, broke a red light, and collided with a white Volkswagen car, injuring the male driver and female front seat passenger.
The BMW then allegedly mounted a kerb near a bus stop and struck Mr Drennan, who was killed. Gardaí claimed Mr Fogarty “failed to remain at the scene and failed to render assistance to Joe Drennan.”
Members of the Drennan family, friends, and colleagues of Joe were present today in court.
