'It is like another funeral' Laois community gathers in call for Justice for Joe Drennan

Hundreds of Laois people from the rural community of Camross have shown their loyal support for the bereaved family of hit and run victim, Joe Drennan, and his family's Justice for Joe campaign.

A large crowd gathered in the pouring rain on Sunday, February 16 beside Camross NS where Joe began his education, and after a series of emotional speeches by the family, made the short walk together to the graveyard. Also present were the three Laois TDs Brian Stanley, Willie Aird and Sean Fleming and local councillors. 

The family and community again prayed at Joe’s graveside, 16 months since the funeral of the gifted 21 year old University of Limerick journalism student, killed in a hit and run.

It follows the concurrent sentence handed to prison inmate Kieran Fogarty, who was out on bail when he drove at speed into Joe on the footpath ending his life, and then left the scene. The DPP is now appealing the sentence.

Also remembered in the prayers led by Mountrath PP Fr Joe Brophy, was Joe's father Tim Drennan. He was taken by ambulance to hospital on the morning of the march, suffering from stress. He remains in hospital.

Joe’s mother Marguerite spoke tearfully to the community. 

“Thank you all for coming, and thank you all for your support,” she said.

Marguerite Drennan standing at her son's grave on Sunday, February 16. Photo: Leinster Express

Joe’s sister Sarah said the family had come to gather again by his grave in grief, anger and in determination.

“Thank you all for being here today in the rain, where Joe called home. He grew up here, went to school here, made lifelong friends here. It is here where we heartbreakingly said our last goodbye, and laid my little brother to rest. And today we stand here in grief, in anger, and most of all in determination. 

“We are here because Joe deserved better. No family should have to ever go through what we have. While we are grateful that the DPP is appealing the case, it shouldn’t take public outrage for justice to be served. The sentencing laws must change. Please sign and share the petition and add your voice. Joe’s life mattered and together we can make sure this never happens again, thank you”.

Maeve Breslin from Camross described her lifelong best friend.

Maeve Breslin speaking at the Justice for Joe gathering in Camross Village. Photo: Alf Harvey.

“Joe was fluent in German and was the only friend who would invite me to attend a red carpet event. He had so many dreams and aspirations which were cut short. One he spoke about most was moving to Berlin with his sister and best friend Sarah. 

“He dreamed of becoming a successful journalist which he did achieve. I called him my famous friend as I believed he would be famous. We always said Joe would be on RTE News as a reporter, but unfortunately Joe has become famous for all the wrong reasons.

“We will continue to ensure that Joe Drennan is remembered, not just as a victim of crime, but as the incredible person that he was. Joe’s memory will live on with me and with all of us here, together we will keep fighting until justice is served for Joe”.

IN PICTURES: Mountrath marches to support Justice For Joe.

Joe’s brother Richard Drennan spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live at the school about why they held the march. 

“It’s great to have the local community getting involved in it, showing their support, we really do appreciate it. Sean Flanagan locally, organised all the lads for parking today, and we’d like to thank everyone for coming out in the weather.

“It is essentially like another funeral. The day we buried Joe, it was raining. It’s ironic that it’s the same kind of a day that we’re doing this. With the support of everyone here it’s very overwhelming.

“The sentence that was given was an insult. It wasn’t the justice that Joe deserved. We’re just going to have to stay going until we do get the justice he deserves. 

“It’s tough on the family. My father Tim was actually brought to hospital this morning by ambulance, just purely down to the stress of everything. It’s just after taking its toll on him, the same as it’s taken on the rest of the family. We’re waiting to hear from the doctors, it’s just the stress of everything.”

The Drennan family lead the route to Camross graveyard at the Justice for Joe gathering in Camross Village. Photo: Alf Harvey.

Joe’s aunt Lisa Bennett spoke to the community, describing the concurrent sentence given to the joyrider who killed him as “soul destroying”.

“Joe’s mission in life was to be a voice for the voiceless and he believed in justice for everyone. So now we will use Joe’s voice and his story to get a change made in this law. 

“For a family to have to sit in the courtroom and hear that your son’s life did not matter, was soul destroying. But for the judicial system to think that families should accept this was far, far worse. The petition we are sharing is to help other families, this will have no bearing on Joe’s case. But when, not if, when we get this law changed, we will know that while Joe lies here, forever 21, his voice was never silenced,” she said.

Senator Maria McCormack spoke alongside the family.

“Support has come from people from all over Ireland, who never met Joe, who have been moved by the injustice of his death. They have also been moved by the testimony of Joe’s family. Together, today we all sincerely hope that there is Justice for Joe,” she said.

Some of the huge attendance at the Justice for Joe gathering in Camross Village. Photo: Alf Harvey.

Cllr James Kelly said there will be a joint motion with Cllr Tommy Mulligan to the next meeting of Laois County Council to request the Minister for Justice to look at sentencing procedures. 

“We all know that justice was not served, and the shock, the horror and the heartbreak of the concurrent sentence is very raw with the family as you can see here today. But the family did not lie down, they were empowered, they got stronger and they went to the media, and to the politicians and the community. We will fully support them,” he said.

Fr Joe Brophy, Parish Priest of Mountrath said prayers by the graveside.

“As you grieve the great loss of Joe, may there be moments of peace in your sadness. Then you will wrap yourselves in memories and rest in the comfort of the love you shared together,” he said.

The case is to be appealed.   The Justice For Joe petition has since passed 13,000 signatures, with the family appealing for more.