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

The University of Limerick’s journalism department is hosting a gathering in solidarity this Thursday, February 6 to honour Laois student Joe Drennan and to support his family.

Joe, a UL journalism student and former Limerick Voice editor, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run in October 2023.

Last Thursday, Kieran Fogarty, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, was sentenced to six-and-a-half-years. He was also jailed for eight-years for firearm offences, with both sentences to be served concurrently.

The team at Limerick Voice – UL journalism department’s student news platform – is inviting the Limerick community exactly a week later “to stand with the Limerick Voice in demanding justice for Joe Drennan following the sentencing hearing into his death last week”.

The Limerick Voice editorial team, where Joe was editor in chief, have organised the vigil and show of solidarity to support the family’s call for the sentence imposed on his killer to be appealed.

Joe’s family has publicly expressed their disappointment with the verdict. His father, Tim Drennan, said after the hearing: "He (Fogarty) got eight years for shooting into a wall, and he got six and a half years for Joe, all to be served concurrently. He’s going to be serving the one for shooting into the wall all the time. He’s not going to be serving anything for Joe."

The Drennan family hopes the Director of Public Prosecutions will appeal the sentence. The family have launched a campaign promoting the appeal under the hashtag #JusticeForJoe

READ MORE: OPINION: For a long time, I wish I died with Joe but he taught me one of life's great lessons

Speaking about the Justice for Joe Campaign, Limerick Voice deputy managing editor Jack McKay said: “We want to show our solidarity with the Drennan Family and help and raise awareness for their campaign for justice.

“Joe was a journalist with a keen sense of justice and saw journalism as a conduit in raising awareness and campaigning for justice.”

The Limerick Voice team invites all students, staff, and members of the wider community to join us in expressing solidarity with Joe’s family during this difficult time. It takes place at 1.30pm at the University of Limerick main plaza.