Laois student's family thank people for supporting their bid for justice

The brother of Joe Drennan who was killed by a hit and run driver has expressed thanks to everyone who has been supporting the family’s bid for justice. 

The family expressed disgust when the six year and a half year prison sentence handed down to Kieran Fogarty for the hit and run that claimed the life of the promising 21-year-old student was ordered to run concurrently, i.e at the same time, as an eight year sentence Fogarty(21) of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick was given for a drive by shooting. 

Joe’s family, who are from Camross, Mountrath, are now campaigning to have the DPP appeal the sentence handed down to Fogarty last week. They also want a change in the law to prevent concurrent sentences being imposed in cases where people’s lives have been lost.  

“There is absolutely no justice for Joe and it is unacceptable,” said Joe's brother Richard

“I don’t think that anybody can understand how he(the Judge) came to rule the way he did that day,” he said. “We can’t make sense of it,” said Richard. 

When asked what people in Laois can do to support the campaign, Richard asked people to do “whatever anybody can.” He said the family has been in contact with all of the local TDs in relation to the case. 

The Justice for Joe campaign held a vigil in University of Limerick- where Joe was a fourth year journalism student- on Thursday and a second vigil was also due to take place at Bedford Row in Limerick City today.  

Richard said his family has been inundated with messages from across Ireland. 

“There could be 10 or 15 of us getting phone calls and emails and messages. It is hard to keep up,” he said.  

He said the DPP has given no indication as to whether or not the sentence will be appealed.

“There is unbelievable support. We are getting great support from friends, family and neighbours,” Richard revealed. 

“It is unbelievable the amount of people that want to get in touch with us. It has been busy,” he said. 

He said the whole country appears to be behind the family and their campaign. “We appreciate everybody’s support so far and continued support,” he remarked. 

The 'Justice for Joe' walk will take place on Saint Fintan's GAA grounds in Mountrath In memory of Joe. It aims to encourage the DPP to appeal the concurrent sentence handed down and everyone is welcome to come along and show solidarity with the family. The walk is taking place on Sunday, February 9 at 1pm.

Meanwhile, a petition has also been launched as part of the campaign. It has already attracted thousands of signatures.  The family’s campaign for justice has also been highlighted in the Dáil.