Additional charges brought against Limerick man in connection with fatal hit-and-run

David Raleigh

A young man has appeared in court charged with failing to offer assistance to a university student he allegedly injured in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Limerick last year.

Kieran Fogarty (20), with an address at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, was previously charged with dangerous driving causing the death of University of Limerick journalism student, Joe Drennan.

Mr Fogarty was charged with seven additional charges at Limerick District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Drennan, (20), from Mountrath, Co Laois, was waiting at a bus stop on the Dublin Road in Castletroy when he was hit by a vehicle and killed on October 13th, 2023. The driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene.

Mr Fogarty previously appeared in court in January in relation to the charges of dangerous driving causing Mr Drennan’s death, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.

On Wednesday,  the seven additional charges were put to Mr Fogarty, including failing to render assistance to Mr Drennan knowing he was seriously injured or dead; dangerous driving; failing to report the fatal collision as soon as possible, knowing Mr Drennan was incapacitated; failing to provide gardaí with appropriate information, and causing criminal damage to a vehicle.

Garda Sergeant Sean Murray, from Roxboro Road Garda station, confirmed Mr Fogarty now faces a total of 10 charges in connection with the incident.

Garda Oliver Gee told the court he arrested Mr Fogarty and put the additional charges to him at 10.31am on Wednesday morning at the Limerick court complex building on Mulgrave Street.

Garda Gee confirmed Mr Fogarty made no reply to the new charges.

Sgt Murray said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that Mr Fogarty face a trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Ian McNamara, solicitor for Mr Fogarty, said he was seeking bail for the accused.

Judge Patrica Harney granted an application by Sgt Murray to remand Mr Fogarty in custody for service of the State’s book of evidence on April 16th.

Speed

At a bail hearing held last January, gardaí alleged that moments prior to the fatal incident, Mr Fogarty was seen driving a black coloured BMW “dangerously” and “at speed”.

The court heard Mr Fogarty allegedly overtook a Garda patrol car at speed as he travelled from Annacotty towards Limerick city.

Gardaí said they activated their blue lights and sirens, following Mr Fogarty “at a safe distance”, but the accused continued at speed, breaking a red light before colliding with another car.

The male driver of the vehicle and a female passenger were injured in the collision.

The court heard the BMW then allegedly mounted a kerb near the bus stop, hitting Mr Drennan.

Gardaí claimed Mr Fogarty “failed to remain at the scene and failed to render assistance to Joe Drennan”.

Mr Drennan was a journalism student at the University of Limerick and was shortlisted for Journalist of the Year at the 2023 Student Media Awards.

Mr Drennan’s father attended court on Wednesday, along with members of the Limerick Voice, of which the 20-year-old Drennan was editor at the time of his death.