‘We should never have been in this position in the first place’: Drennan family react to appeal decision

RICHARD Drennan, a brother of the late UL journalism student Joe Drennan, said the feeling was bittersweet after the family was told the DPP is appealing the sentence imposed on Joe’s killer.

Richard told Limerick Live this Wednesday that his parents - Tim and Marguerite - are relieved but “we should never have been in this position in the first place”.

“Even though we have got the appeal we are still yet again relying on the justice system to give Joe justice.

“We’re almost back at the start again and we have to rely on the next process to show proper justice,” said Richard.

The Court of Criminal Appeal will now sentence Kieran Fogarty, aged 21, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city who pleaded dangerous driving causing the death of Joe.

READ MORE: BREAKING: DPP makes major decision in sentencing case of Joe Drennan killer

On behalf of the Drennan family, Richard wished to thank everyone who attended the protests and vigils in the University of Limerick, in Bedford Row in the city and in their native county Laois.

A planned gathering this Sunday at noon in Camross, county Laois for Joe will go ahead as planned.

Richard said they are still campaigning for the legislation to be changed so no other family will have to go through this in the future.

The Drennan have started a petition to reform consecutive sentencing laws in Ireland for crimes involving loss of life.

The petition, which can be signed here, says that under the current system, multiple sentences are often served concurrently, meaning offenders convicted of multiple serious crimes, may not serve a full and proportionate sentence for each offence.

“This can lead to injustices where multiple victims and their families do not see appropriate accountability reflected in sentencing.

“One tragic example of this is the case of Joe Drennan, who lost his life in October 2023 after being struck by a car driven by Kieran Fogarty, a man who at the time was on bail and prohibited from driving, and drove through a red light at 123km in an attempt to evade gardai.

“Fogarty has a total of 46 convictions and the Judge, in his ruling, stated he would treat Fogarty's crimes that resulted in Joe's death separate to the crimes relating to firearms, drugs and other violent crimes. However, he sentenced Fogarty to a total of eight years for his violent crimes and firearms and drugs charges.

"He sentenced Fogarty to a total of six-and-a-half years for the charges relating to Joe’s death with all sentences to run concurrently. This means that justice for Joe’s life and for the other victims of Fogarty’s actions are not fully reflected in the sentence imposed,” say the Drennan family.

They say Joe’s case is just one example of how Ireland’s sentencing laws fail to fully reflect the severity of crimes involving loss of life. 

“It is time for change. We call on all members of the public, advocacy groups, and policymakers to support this vital reform and ensure that Ireland’s justice system properly acknowledges the impact of violent crimes. Sign this petition and help us demand change,” say the family.