Family of Limerick hit-and-run victim Joe Drennan want changes to concurrent sentencing

Joe Drennan's family has also called for the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the case

Family members of Joe Drennan, Sarah Drennan (left), Kieran Drennan (second left), Marguerite Drennan (centre) and Tim Drennan (right) gather outside Leinster House. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA

The family of hit-and-run victim Joe Drennan want changes to concurrent sentencing that would prevent it in the case of death.

Joe Drennan was killed in October 2023 by Kieran Fogarty, with the gangland criminal having plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Fogarty had already been sentenced to eight years for firearm offences. After pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death, which killed Joe Drennan, Mr Fogarty was sentenced to six-and-a-half years.

However, this sentence will run concurrently to the firearms offence, meaning Mr Fogarty will not face any extra time in prison for the death of Mr Drennan.

Sarah Drennan, the student's sister, called for both the Taoiseach and Justice Minister to meet with them and consider changes to laws around concurrent sentencing. The Drennan family has also called for the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the case.

Speaking outside Leinster House, Ms Drennan said her family has suffered an “injustice through the justice system”.

“The law needs to change that concurrent sentencing can’t happen when a death is involved because it just forgets victims and their families,” Ms Drennan said.

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“We need to change the law and hopefully this does get changed to ensure that victims get their justice and criminals are held to real accountability.

“We can’t accept a system that prioritises convenience over accountability.” 

Tim Drennan, Joe Drennan’s father, said: “Now all we want is the DPP to appeal the sentence. Nobody will answer you. 

“We have no control over anything in this justice system. 

Joe is called a process, that’s all Joe is. Joe is not a process to us. Joe is my son, he’s Marguerite's son, he’s our family. It’s madness.

“Laws have to change. It’s all for the criminal, there is nothing for the victims."

Mr Drennan accused the DPP’s office of threatening to call the Gardaí on him and his son Richard, after the two visited the building earlier on Tuesday. He said that they both received visitor passes and were permitted in, but then in reception were asked to leave or the Gardaí would be called.

In a statement, the DPP said: "The Office of the DPP does not comment on individual cases and will not be making any comment on this matter."

Meanwhile, a Garda investigation has been launched after a “threatening” letter was sent to a judge over the sentencing of Mr Fogarty.

The handwritten correspondence for Judge Colin Daly was intercepted by courts services staff at the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court complex.

A Garda statement said: “An Garda Síochána is aware of correspondence received at a premises in Limerick city in February 2025," adding “enquiries are ongoing”.

Mr Drennan said that the family “knew nothing about it”.