Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6754Dangerous driving causing death; hit-and-run · Co. Limerick · 13 Oct 2023

Man charged over hit-and-run death of Limerick journalism student refused bail

On Friday 13 October 2023 at around 9.30pm, Joe Drennan, a 21-year-old man and editor-in-chief of the University of Limerick student newspaper Limerick Voice, was struck by a car while standing at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick, and was fatally injured. The driver is alleged to have failed to remain at the scene. On Tuesday 16 January 2024, gardaí arrested Kieran Fogarty, a 20-year-old man of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, and charged him with three offences, including dangerous driving causing death. At Limerick District Court he was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear again on 23 January.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Jan
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Joe Drennan, a 21-year-old man, was fatally injured after being hit by a car.
Where
Drennan was standing at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick.
When
The collision happened at around 9.30pm on Friday, 13 October 2023.
Cause
  • Gardaí allege a black BMW was driven dangerously and at speed, broke a red light and collided with a white Volkswagen.
  • Gardaí allege the BMW then mounted a kerb near the bus stop and struck Drennan.
Other details
  • Gardaí allege the driver left the scene and did not render assistance to Drennan.
  • Drennan was editor-in-chief of the University of Limerick student newspaper, Limerick Voice.
Investigation
  • Gardaí say CCTV footage placed Kieran Fogarty as the only occupant of the car, and allege DNA from a deployed airbag in the BMW matched him.
  • Gardaí say the Director of Public Prosecutions is considering further serious charges.
Charges
  • Gardaí arrested Kieran Fogarty, a 20-year-old man of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, on Tuesday 16 January 2024.
  • Fogarty is charged with dangerous driving causing Drennan's death, driving without insurance and driving without a driver's licence.
In court
  • Judge Carol Anne Coolican refused an application to hold Fogarty's bail hearing in camera.
  • Gardaí described Fogarty as a danger to the community, and he was refused bail at Limerick District Court.
  • Judge Carol Anne Coolican remanded Fogarty in custody to appear again on 23 January.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereJoe Drennan was standing at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Castletroy. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFogarty was arrested at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened at around 9.30pm on October 13th. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe fatal collision happened on Friday, October 13, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeJoe Drennan was hit by a car and fatally injured. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí observed Fogarty driving a black BMW dangerously and at speed before the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí allege the BMW broke a red light and collided with a white Volkswagen car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí allege the BMW mounted a kerb near a bus stop and struck Drennan, who was fatally injured. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say CCTV footage placed Fogarty as the only occupant of the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí allege DNA from a deployed airbag in the BMW matched Fogarty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say the DPP is considering further serious charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGardaí arrested and charged Kieran Fogarty, 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, with three offences relating to the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFogarty is charged with one count of dangerous driving causing Joe Drennan's death. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFogarty is charged with one count of driving without insurance. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFogarty is charged with one count of driving without a driver's licence. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFogarty was charged with offences including dangerous driving causing the death of Joe Drennan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFogarty was also charged with driving without insurance or a licence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Carol Anne Coolican refused the application to have the bail hearing held in camera. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFogarty was held in continuing custody and the matter was adjourned until a bail hearing later that day. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFogarty was refused bail at Limerick District Court after being charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtGardaí described Fogarty as a danger to the community. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Carol Anne Coolican remanded Fogarty in custody to appear again on 23 January. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe driver failed to remain at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJoe Drennan was 21 and was editor-in-chief of the University of Limerick student newspaper, the Limerick Voice. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí allege Fogarty left the scene and did not render assistance to Drennan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDrennan was editor-in-chief of the University of Limerick student newspaper, Limerick Voice. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man charged over death of journalism student in hit and run refused bail

    Fogarty was refused bail at Limerick District Court and remanded in custody to appear again on 23 January. Gardaí say the DPP is considering further serious charges.

    accused, Kieran Fogarty, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Fogartyvictim, Joe Drennan, male, irish (judged from name)Joe Drennan
  2. 16 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man (20) charged with dangerous driving causing student’s death in Limerick

    Adds the three charges (dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance, driving without a licence), the location and time of the incident, the victim's age and role, the court's refusal to hold the bail hearing in camera, and that Fogarty remains in custody.

    victim, Joe Drennan, 21, male, irish (judged from name)Joe Drennanaccused, Kieran Fogarty, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Fogarty