BREAKING: 'He should have been locked up like the animal he is': Limerick man up in court for death of UL student Joe Drennan

A SISTER of Joe Drennan said the man who killed the young UL student “should have been locked up like the animal he is” at the time of the fatal road traffic collision.

Sarah Drennan fought back tears as she read out an emotional victim impact statement at Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Friday.

Joe Drennan (pictured below), aged 21, of Knocknagad, Mountrath, Co Laois was killed at Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick on October 13, 2023 while he was waiting for a bus after working a shift in a local restaurant.

Kieran Fogarty, aged 21, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston was before the court for sentencing this December 13. He has pleaded guilty to a number of offences including dangerous driving causing death, failing to offer assistance at the scene and criminal damage.

John O’Sullivan BL, prosecuting, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of the senior investigating officer Inspector Padraigh Sutton, of Henry Street garda station.

Sarah Drennan said the fact that Fogarty chose to drive dangerously is an unbearable injustice. Fogarty was on bail at the time. One of the conditions was not to drive.

“It was not an accident - it could have been prevented. It was caused by his disregard for the safety of others. He knew that my brother was lying there broken and needed help, and instead of calling for assistance he chose to run away. He didn't check to see if Joe was alive. 

“We are haunted everyday by the thought of him dying alone, scared, no one to hold his hand, no one to tell him help was on the way. 

“He did not deserve to die like that, abandoned and disregarded like his life meant nothing. My brother did not have to die,” said Ms Drennan.

Her father and mother Tim and Marguerite Drennan clung to one another as she read out the victim impact statement. Tim Drennan had his head bowed while Marguerite Drennan wept quietly.

“He (Fogarty) should never have been driving in the first place. He shouldn't have been out on the street.

“The night of October 13, 2023 was when our life sentence began. Joe received a death sentence that night. Kieran Fogarty was judge, jury and executioner - he killed our Joe. 

“He left our Joe to die on the street pinned under his car alone. He wiped down the car and ran away like the coward he is. 

“He was out on bail when he killed Joe. He should have been locked up like the animal he is.

"He imposed the death penalty on Joe. He imposed a life sentence on everyone who loved Joe,” said Sarah Drennan, who added that her brother wanted to make the world a better place.

Joe Drennan was a fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick and editor-in-chief of the Limerick Voice publication.

Earlier in the sentencing hearing, Insp Padraigh Sutton, said that Mr Fogarty was driving at 122kmph on the Dublin Road on the wrong side of the road, went through a red light, struck a glancing blow to a car which caused Mr Fogarty's car to spin.

“It collided with a wall. The vehicle pinned Joe Drennan under the car,” said Insp Sutton.

The garda inspector said Joe Drennan would not have felt anything and did not suffer.

Mr O’Sullivan gave the pathologist’s evidence who said Joe Drennan suffered multiple traumatic injuries including serious head injuries.

Insp Sutton said Fogarty spent 14 seconds in the car, cleaned it - which shows he was forensically aware, before fleeing the scene.

Fogarty was arrested in Cork over a week later. He exercised his right to silence in the first two interviews before making admissions and apologising.

Insp Sutton said gardai had “insurmountable evidence”.

Fogarty told gardai he did not know he had struck someone and would have "stuck around" if he had known.

Gardai secured access to his Facebook account. One message from Fogarty to a criminal read: “I bounced off that wall and took that young fella with me.”

Insp Sutton said Fogarty’s apologies “rang hollow” in comparison to messages he sent to family and criminal associates.

Mark Nicholas SC, defending, said nobody in this court can remain unmoved at the enormity of what occurred. He said the pain visited on the Drennan family is palpable.

Mr Nicholas said Mr Drennan was killed in his prime and was adored.

In mitigation, the senior counsel said Fogarty has pleaded guilty, made admissions, referred to his youth (19) at the time and read out a letter of apology to the Drennan family.

Judge Colin Daly said he has a lot to consider and requires time. The judge said he won't be proceeding to sentence this Friday.

Judgement was adjourned until January 30.