Garda update as hunt goes on for hit-and-run motorist who killed Midlands student

Gardaí in Limerick are “doing everything in their power” to apprehend the driver of a vehicle in a hit-and-run that killed a talented young student waiting for a bus after finishing work.

A major garda investigation was immediately launched with a garda helicopter deployed from Baldonnel, on the outskirts of Dublin, to sweep the Castletroy area following the collision on the Dublin Road in the city on Friday night.

The victim - Joe Drennan, aged 21, of Knocknagad, Mountrath, Co Laois, who was an inspirational fourth-year journalism student in the University of Limerick - will be laid to rest this Wednesday afternoon.

Gardai have been carrying out intensive door-to-door enquiries, harvesting and watching hours upon hours of CCTV and dash-cam footage, and following up numerous lines of enquiry.

A garda source said: “Everything in our power - we are doing it and we won’t stop. This is a major garda investigation involving Limerick Community Engagement, Roads Policing and Crime Functional Area involving officers from Henry Street, Mayorstone and Roxboro Garda Stations.”

The scene of the fatal incident in the Dublin Road | PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

Countless tributes have been paid to Mr Drennan who was shortlisted earlier this year for Journalist of the Year at the annual National Student Media Awards.

He was due to have his first cover story on Gay Community News magazine this week and was recently appointed editor-in-chief of the Limerick Voice.

Managing editor of the student newspaper, Molly Cantwell, said there are no words to describe the incredible loss they are feeling as a class and as a group of young journalists.

“You never expect something like this to land on your doorstep, to read an article that’s about the loss of your dear friend, or to be lost for words when it’s words that brought us all together.

“Joe was a force to be reckoned with. His passion, talent, charisma, and absolute grá for his work was so evident in absolutely everything he did. His vision for the Limerick Voice was so powerful and will remain so potent in all of our hearts as we try to honour him,” said Ms Cantwell.

Nothing they do will ever be without Joe in their hearts and minds from here on out, she said.

“Joe, I don’t know how to move on and do any of this without you. We’d become so close we’d work like a well oiled machine together, and I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself with you. Everything I write, everything I do from now on is for you. We’ll fight the good fight for every underrepresented voice as you would have wanted.

“Sleep tight Joe - you’ve changed every single one of us for the better and we’ll keep your memory alive through everything we do, forever,” said Ms Cantwell, in a beautiful tribute.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey, Dr Kathryn Hayes, course director of BA Journalism and Digital Communication and Dr Henry Silke, Department of Journalism, have all paid touching tributes to the young student whose loss is keenly felt in the university.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the collision, which occurred on the Dublin Road in Castletroy at approximately 9.50pm on Friday, and involved two cars and a pedestrian. The driver of one car failed to remain at the scene. Mr Drennan, a pedestrian, was removed to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced deceased.

The male driver (40s) and the female adult passenger of the second car were removed to University Hospital Limerick, for treatment for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

Anybody with any information or has dash-cam footage is asked to contact Henry Street on 061 212400, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.