A CITY man has been charged with failing to offer assistance to a student he had allegedly knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run last year.
Kieran Fogarty (20), with an address at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, who was previously charged with dangerous driving causing the death of University of Limerick journalism student Joe Drennan was met with seven additional charges at Limerick District Court on Wednesday (April 10).
Mr Drennan (20), from Mountrath in County Laois, was waiting at a bus stop on Limerick’s Dublin Road when a car struck and killed him on October 13 last. The driver fled the scene.
Mr Fogarty initially appeared in court last January charged with dangerous driving causing Mr Drennan’s death, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.
This week, Mr Fogarty was arrested by Gardaí and charged with seven additional charges 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.
Prosecuting Garda Sergeant Sean Murray, Roxboro Road Garda Station, said the new charges brought to 10 the total charges against Mr Fogarty in connection with Mr Drennan’s death.
Garda Oliver Gee gave evidence in court of arresting and charging Mr Fogarty with the new charges. He said Mr Fogarty made no reply to the charges.
Sergeant 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 Sergeant Murray to remand Mr Fogarty in custody for service of the State’s Book of Evidence on April 16.
Mr Drennan’s father attended court along with members of the Limerick Voice newspaper, of which Joe Drennan was editor-in-chief at the time he died.
At a bail hearing in January, Gardaí alleged that, moments prior to the fatal hit and run, Mr Fogarty was seen driving a black BMW “dangerously” and “at speed”.
Mr Fogarty allegedly overtook a Garda patrol car at speed as he travelled from Annacotty towards Limerick City, the bail hearing heard.
Gardaí said they activated their patrol car’s blue lights and sirens and followed Mr Fogarty “at a safe distance”, but that Mr Fogarty continued at speed, broke a red light, and collided with a white Volkswagen car, injuring the male driver and female front seat passenger. Then the BMW allegedly mounted a kerb near a bus stop and struck Mr Drennan.
