A MAN accused of the fatal hit and run of talented young journalist Joe Drennan is to enter a plea next week, the man’s lawyer told Limerick Circuit Criminal Court this week.
Kieran Fogarty (20), of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of the 20-year-old journalism student at the University of Limerick (UL) on October 13, 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 Limerick Voice.
Mr Drennan, from Mountrath, County Laois, had been waiting at a bus stop on the Dublin Road 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 Gardaí with appropriate information, causing criminal damage to a vehicle, and driving without insurance or a licence.
Members of Joe Drennan’s family, including his parents Marguerite and Tim Drennan, travelled to Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Monday 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 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 he 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 next Wednesday (October 16).
Judge Duffy remanded Mr Fogarty to enter a plea to all charges on that date. She said the case could be finalised during the current sessions of the Circuit Court.
The first anniversary of Mr Drennan’s death occurs this coming Sunday.
