Laois town to hold vigil demanding justice for Mountrath student Joe Drennan

A solidarity walk in memory of Laois student Joe Drennan is set to take place in Mountrath this weekend.

Joe Drennan (21) from Mountrath was killed in October 2023 after being struck by a vehicle in a hit and run.

Driver Kieran Fogarty was jailed for six and a half years, which will run concurrently with an eight year sentence imposed on him for an unrelated offence of discharging a firearm in a drive-by shooting.

Family and friends of Mr. Drennan have appealed to the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal this sentence, as it means he will serve no additional time for the killing of Mr. Drennan.

A petition was recently started by the family to amend the current sentencing laws to ensure that multiple sentences for serious crimes, particularly those involving loss of life, are served consecutively rather than concurrently.

A vigil was recently held in the University of Limerick, where Mr. Drennan was a fourth year journalism student. Joe’s father, Mr. Tim Drennan, told attendees that his son was killed horrifyingly and got not justice.

A solidarity walk will be held in Mountrath GAA grounds on Sunday February 9 at 1pm.

The 'Justice for Joe' walk will take place on St. Fintan's GAA pitch. In memory of Mr. Drennan, this walk is hoped to encourage the DPP to appeal the concurrent sentence handed down to the man who killed Mr. Drennan.