Young man killed in Limerick hit-and-run named locally

Sarah Slater

The man who died in a hit-and-run incident on Friday night in Limerick has been named.

The 21-year-old was named locally as Joe Drennan, from Knocknagad, Mountrath, Co Laois.

It is understood he had just finished working at an Italian restaurant and was waiting at a bus stop on the Dublin Road when he was hit by one of two cars involved in the collision.

He was a fourth-year journalism student at the University of Limerick (UL) and one of the editors of Limerick Voice. Earlier this year, he was shortlisted for the Journalist of the Year awards at the annual National Student Media Awards.

Mr Drennan was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on Friday night following the crash which occurred at around 9.50pm.

Local Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan expressed her “deepest condolences to Joe Drennan’s family and friends”.

“Joe was a very talented and bright young man. He will be sorely missed in our Limerick community,” she added.

On Saturday, Gardaí released a statement appealing for information regarding the incident, confirming that one of the two cars involved had failed to remain at the scene.

The matter was also referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission as the car which fled the scene had been involved in an interaction with gardaí prior to the collision.

A man and a woman from the second vehicle were both taken to UHL for treatment following the crash, and their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Gardaí are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Henry Street Garda wtation on 061-212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111 or any Garda station.