Limerick man charged over fatal hit and run of UL journalism student

Joe Drennan, 21, was standing at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick, at about 9.30pm on Friday, October 13 last, when he was hit by a driver of a car and killed

Joe Drennan was regarded as one of the country’s rising young journalists.

A man appeared in court on Tuesday morning charged in connection with the death of journalism student Joe Drennan last year.

Mr Drennan, 21, was standing at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick, at about 9.30pm on Friday, October 13 last when he was hit by a driver of a car and killed.

The driver of the car failed to remain at the scene.

On Tuesday morning, gardaí arrested and charged Kieran Fogarty, 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, with three offences relating to the fatal hit and run.

Mr Fogarty, who sat in the dock at Limerick District Court wearing a grey tracksuit and runners, was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing Mr Drennan’s death, one count of driving without insurance and one count of driving without a driver’s license.

Mr Fogarty’s solicitor Darach McCarthy applied to have a bail hearing heard in-camera.

Sergeant Ashling O’Neill of Roxboro Road Garda Station said she was opposed to the solicitor’s application and the State did not have any reason for having the bail hearing heard in-camera.

Refusing the application, Judge Carol Anne Coolican said: “Justice needs to be administered in public.” 

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

From Mountrath, Co Laois, Mr Drennan was regarded as one of the country’s rising young journalists and had been shortlisted for Journalist of the Year at the 2023 Student Media Awards.

Mr Fogarty was held in continuing custody and the matter was adjourned for a bail hearing to be heard later on Tuesday.