DPP To Appeal Sentence Given To Joe Drennan's Killer
The DPP is appealing the sentence handed down to student journalist Joe Drennan's killer.
The 21 year old from Laois was killed in a hit-and-run in Limerick City in 2023.
Last month, 21 year old Kieran Fogarty was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for dangerous driving causing the death of University of Limerick student Joe Drennan in October 2023.
However, Judge Colin Daly ordered the sentence to run concurrently with another eight year sentence for shooting at a house in April 2023 - meaning Fogarty, who has 46 previous convictions, would not serve any jail time for killing the student journalist.
The Drennan family described the decision as "disgusting" - and a Justice for Joe campaign was set up, urging the Director of Public Prosecutions to intervene.
Following protests in Limerick, Laois, and outside Leinster House, the DPP has today confirmed she will appeal the sentence on the grounds it was too lenient.
Joe's mother, Marguerite, says regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the family would press ahead with an online petition calling on the government and justice minister to amend the law to ensure multiple sentences for serious crimes, particularly those involving loss of life, are served consecutively rather than concurrently - adding, "It won’t bring Joe back, but it will help other families.”
Almost 12,000 people have signed the petition since it was set up last Thursday.
