Calls grow for DPP to appeal sentence in Laois student Joe Drennan hit-and-run case

The father of Laois student Joe Drennan, 21, who was “mowed down” by a criminal gang member who “ran away and left him to die under the car”, says the jail sentence imposed on Kieran Fogarty has “completely destroyed our lives for a second time in 15 months”.

While Fogarty, 21, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment last Thursday for a separate shooting incident, legal sources have said ‘he could be out in five years when he is aged 26’.

Tim Drennan whose son Joe was studying journalism at the University of Limerick, said in a written statement on Tuesday: “All I want is justice for my son, Joe. He died in the most awful of circumstances on his own and his killer does not get one day in jail for his crime.

“Joe was pinned under the car while Fogarty sat on top of him wiping his DNA from the vehicle. He offered no assistance and just ran away leaving him to die under the car.”

The Drennan family,  from Knocknagad, Camross, are calling on the DPP to make the “right and early decision” regarding appealing the sentences received by Kieran Fogarty, age 21, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city last Thursday.

In a display of solidarity with the Drennan family, the University of Limerick journalism department is hosting a gathering this Thursday, February 6, at 1.30pm at the Brown Thomas Statue in UL. All are welcome to attend.

Fogarty received a six-and-half-year sentence for dangerous driving causing the death of Joe, aged 21, on October 13, 2023. Judge Colin Daly then handed down an eight-year sentence for shooting up a house as part of a gangland feud to be served consecutively. This would have meant Fogarty receiving a 14-and-a-half-year jail term.

READ MORE: Solidarity event for the family of Laois student Joe Drennan to be held

Judge Daly then said it was to be served concurrently after prosecuting barrister John O'Sullivan sought clarification. The total of eight years imprisonment was backdated to October 23, 2023, when Fogarty first entered custody.

Members of the Drennan family said after the sentencing hearing they were “disgusted”. They said Fogarty “would not serve anything” for Joe’s death and it was an “insult”.

They say Joe was never in trouble a day in his life but now after his death he has been mixed up in serious criminality through the sentences imposed. Mr Drennan, in his handwritten statement, wrote: “All we ask is that Joe has his own sentence - the maximum under law - because of the way he was left to die. My world and that of my family was destroyed that day.”

Mr Drennan went on to say what occurred in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court last Thursday “completely destroyed our lives for a second time in 15 months”.

It is understood Limerick gardai are also extremely disappointed at how the sentencing hearing was handled on Thursday. The investigation was one of the largest and most extensive in the Limerick Garda Division in recent years.

Local gardai hoped that the conclusion of the case last Thursday would bring the bereft family some comfort to see Fogarty serve a jail sentence for killing their beloved Joe. They support the Drennan family completely in their campaign for the sentence to be appealed and will support them in any way they can.

When contacted, newly-appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins said he couldn't comment on the case as the decision on whether it will be appealed or not is a matter for the DPP. However, he did say the “needs of victims” are clearly set out in the new Programme for Government.