'Joe was going to be a star,' mourners hear at funeral of young journalist killed in Limerick collision

“CLOSE your eyes, 

Have no fear..., 

Beautiful boy.”

Mourners wept at the funeral of their beautiful boy - Joe Drennan - as John Lennon’s lyrics accompanied his ivory coloured-coffin being wheeled into St Fergal’s Church, Camross, County Laois this Wednesday afternoon.

The 21-year-old fourth-year UL Journalism student was tragically killed in a hit-and-run on Friday night as he waited for a bus after finishing work in Castletroy. A number of buses carrying students and staff left the university this Wednesday morning to pay their respects at his funeral.

Fr Brian Griffin, who said the Mass with Fr Joe Brophy and UL chaplain Fr John Campion, said none of us want to be here this afternoon.

“In fact, we'd rather be anywhere else in the world but we must be here because Joe has died. Joe didn’t have to die, he shouldn’t have died, his death was caused by the reckless behaviour of somebody else. 

“It is heartbreaking, horrible, and really, really awful. We are still trying to come to terms with that, we struggle to find the words. As one mother wrote on Joe’s condolences page on RIP.ie, ‘A lovely, decent, hard-working son wasn't safe standing at the bus stop’. It says a lot about our country,” said Fr Griffin.

The Mass commenced with eulogies from Joe’s family and Dr Kathryn Hayes (pictured above), course director of BA Journalism and Digital Communication, who read out both.

Ms Hayes said it was an honour to be asked to read out the eulogy written by Mr Drennan’s aunt, Julie Bennett.

“Joe’s story began in Knocknagad with his beloved parents Mags and Tim, his beautiful sisters Marie, Ava and Sally and his big brothers Richard, John and Ciaran. If there is one central element to Joe's story - it's love. Joe was loved and adored by so many and in turn he showed and gave so much love. No matter how big he got - our Joe was always going to be a hugger. 

“It was with the knowledge that he was loved, that at only 15 he felt confident enough to come out to his parents. Not many 15-year-olds could do that but the one thing Joe could never doubt was how much he was loved.” 

The congregation heard that he was an entrepreneur from a young age - from selling Christmas wreaths from the back of his father’s van to setting up his own tuck shop in school. 

“So successful his little enterprise became he had to acquire a second locker just for his stock- all bought with his mammy’s vouchers. Joe was a hard worker and showed real drive and ambition - he was going to be a star. He never said no to any opportunity when it presented himself. Popping in to buy a coffee in La Cucina Italian restaurant he walked out with two coffees and a job!” 

Rural life and especially farming just wasn’t for Joe but he loved coming home especially for nannie’s dinner. Joe adored his nanny, Vera.

It wasn’t until Limerick that Joe really blossomed and in Berlin he became whole.

“Berlin opened his eyes to so much, he had so many adventures and friends; and it was there he found real joy and love. Santiago brought out the best in Joe, inspiring him to be a better writer and showing him what true love was. 

“Joe, was unique and so special. His life was cut short but what a life he had - wonderful friends, a family who adored him and he knew real love and not everyone gets that. In his own words, ‘I’m living my best life and I’m on top of the world’,” read Ms Hayes. 

In her own tribute, the lecturer said despite only turning 21 a fortnight ago, Joe was a critical thinker and deeply committed to these principles that underpin best journalistic practice. 

“Joe wanted to change the world. His desire for change can be seen in the work he was doing as a journalist with Gay Community News and the plans he had for his role as editor-in-chief of Limerick Voice digital news project in the University of Limerick. Joe’s pitch for the job as editor, just a few short weeks ago, epitomised his wider vision to effect change through his journalism work. 

“He spoke about bridging divides and fostering a deeper understanding of marginalised communities, through dynamic storytelling techniques. He wanted to give a voice to members of the Latin American, Ukrainian, LGBTQ+, and homeless communities, whom he believed were often misrepresented in Irish media. 

“He was determined that Limerick Voice would aim to counteract these narratives and he urged reporters to ‘find a voice that they themselves had not heard before’,” said Ms Hayes.

Joe’s life has been cruelly cut short, she said, but he leaves an enormous legacy that will continue to inspire and to uplift all those whose lives he touched. 

“We know his story is one that will never be forgotten,” said Ms Hayes.

Communities in Limerick and Laois 'absolutely devastated' at death of student

Symbols brought to the altar represented his life’s story. They included a Pride flag to show his dedication to the LGBTQ+ community, to never be afraid to be yourself and stand up for what you believe in.

Sunglasses to show his style and confidence. A notebook reflected his passion for journalism and a family photo represented the love for his nearest and dearest.

The funeral Mass concluded with Adele’s Make You Feel My Love and the lyrics:

"When the rain is blowing in your face, 

And the whole world is on your case, 

I could offer you a warm embrace, 

To make you feel my love."

Everybody lucky enough to have met Joe felt that love.

May he rest in peace.