Man Accused Of Laois Student Hit And Run To Enter Plea Next Week

Monday, 7 October 2024 17:59

Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard from the man's lawyer today.

A man accused of a fatal hit and run of a talented young Laois journalist is to enter a plea next week, the man’s lawyer told Limerick Circuit Criminal Court today.

Kieran Fogarty, 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick today appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Joseph “Joe” Drennan, (20), a fourth year journalism student at the University of Limerick (UL), on October 13th, 2023.

Mr Fogarty is also charged with failing to render assistance to Mr Drennan, who at the time of his death was the editor in chief of UL’s student newspaper The Voice.

Mr Drennan, from Mountrath, had been waiting for a bus at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Limerick, when he was struck by a car allegedly driven by Mr Fogarty.

Mr Fogarty was also charged with failing to report the fatal collision as soon as possible, knowing Mr Drennan was incapacitated.

He was also charged with failing to provide gardai with appropriate information, and with causing criminal damage to a vehicle, and with driving without insurance, and with driving without a licence.

Mr Fogarty made no reply to the charges when he was charged by Gardaí last year.

Members of Joe Drennan’s family, including his parents Marguerite and Tim Drennan, travelled from their home in Co Laois to Limerick Circuit Criminal Court today, for Mr Fogarty’s appearance before Judge Elva Duffy.

Prosecuting barrister, John O’Sullivan, BL, said Mr Fogarty had pleaded guilty to a summary of the charges.

Mr O’Sullivan described the case as a “particularly sensitive matter of a case of dangerous driving causing the death of Joseph “Joe” Drennan”.

“Relatives of Mr Drennan are in court today including Joseph’s parents and his family.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Fogarty faced “breach of duty charges, as set out under the Road Traffic Act, including failure to stop and all of that” and that Mr Fogarty had been returned to the Circuit Court for trial on indictment.

Mr Fogarty’s lawyer, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, said he was asking for an arraignment on behalf of the accused, on next Wednesday.

Judge Duffy remanded Mr Fogarty for arraignment next Wednesday, October 16th, and she said the case could be finalised during the current sessions of the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

The first anniversary of Mr Drennan’s death occurs this coming Sunday.