Garda: Hit-&-run accused a ‘danger to community’
Man charged with causing death of student Joe, 21, is refused bail
A MAN described by gardai as “a danger to the community”, was refused bail after he was charged with causing the death of a student in a hit-and-run collision.
Officers arrested Kieran Fogarty on Tuesday and charged the 20-year-old with offences including dangerous driving causing the death of Joe Drennan, 21, on October 13 last year.
Fogarty was also charged with driving without insurance or a licence.
Det Garda Shane O’neill of Roxboro Road Garda station, told a bail hearing held at Limerick District Court that moments prior to the fatal collision, Fogarty was observed by gardai driving a black
HEARING Kieran Fogarty, 20 coloured BMW “dangerously” and “at speed”.
He overtook a Garda patrol car at speed as he drove the car from the Annacotty area towards Limerick city. Gardai activated the patrol car’s blue lights and sirens and followed Fogarty “at a safe distance”, detective O’neill said.
He alleged the BMW “driven by Kieran Fogarty” continued at speed, and went through a red light and collided with a white coloured Volkswagen,
injuring the male driver and female passenger.
Detective O’neill further alleged Fogarty, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, then “lost control” of the BMW, which mounted a kerb near a bus stop, and struck journalism student Mr Drennan.
He further claimed Fogarty exited the BMW “and failed to remain at the scene and failed to render assistance to Joe
Drennan”. Det O’neill added: “The DPP is considering further serious charges.”
He objected to bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act as well as O’callaghan Rules, that there was strong evidence against Fogarty including CCTV which placed the accused as the only occupant.
Det O’neill claimed “DNA” allegedly gleaned by forensic investigators from an airbag that had deployed in the BMW in the collision on the night “matched Kieran Fogarty”.
He further alleged that gardai had unearthed text messages in which Fogarty allegedly discussed leaving the jurisdiction and where he had told others he was involved in a collision in which a person had died.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican remanded him in custody to appear again next Tuesday.