Limerick man charged over death of UL student in hit-and-run

David Raleigh

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the death of University of Limerick (UL) journalism student Joe Drennan last year.

The 21-year-old had been standing at a bus stop on the Dublin Road in Castletroy at around 9.30pm on Friday, October 13th when he was hit by a car. He was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick.

The driver of the car failed to remain at the scene.

On Tuesday morning, gardaí arrested and charged Kieran Fogarty (20), of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, with three offences relating to the incident.

Mr Fogarty, who sat in the dock at Limerick District Court wearing a grey tracksuit and runners, was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing Mr Drennan’s death, one count of driving without insurance, and one count of driving without a driver’s license.

Mr Fogarty’s solicitor, Darach McCarthy, applied to have a bail hearing held in-camera, meaning the public are excluded from the courtroom.

Sergeant Ashling O’Neill, of Roxboro Road Garda station, said she was opposed to the solicitor’s application, adding the State did not have any reason for having the bail hearing heard in private.

Refusing the application, Judge Carol Anne Coolican said: “Justice needs to be administered in public.”

Mr Fogarty was held in continuing custody and the matter was adjourned for a bail hearing to be heard later on Tuesday.