Garda arrested in fatal hit-run probe
QUIZZED BY OMBUDSMAN
A MAN was charged yesterday with failing to offer assistance to a student he had allegedly knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run last year.
Kieran Fogarty (20) of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, who was previously charged with dangerous driving causing the death of University of Limerick journalism student, Joe Drennan, was hit with seven additional charges at Limerick District Court.
Mr Drennan (20) from Mountrath, Co Laois, was waiting at a bus stop on Dublin Road, Limerick, when a car ploughed into him, killing him, and the driver fled the scene, on October 13 last.
Mr Fogarty initially appeared in court last January, charged with dangerous driving causing Mr Drennan’s death, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.
Yesterday, Mr Fogarty was arrested and charged with seven additional charges.
They included failing to render assistance to Mr Drennan knowing he was seriously injured or dead; dangerous driving; failing to report the fatal collision as soon as possible, knowing Mr Drennan was incapacitated.
Garda Sergeant Sean Murray said the new charges brought to 10 the total charges against Mr Fogarty over Mr Drennan’s death.
Judge Patrica Harney remanded Mr Fogarty in custody for service of the State’s Book of Evidence on April 16.
A GARDA has been arrested as part of a fatal hit and run probe, The Star can reveal.
The officer was arrested and has been interviewed by the Garda Ombudsman Commission.
They are leading the investigation into the incident that claimed the life of popular GAA coach Niall MacEneaney last month.
Niall was struck by a vehicle – allegedly a private car registered to a garda who was off-duty at the time.
Mr MacEneaney was killed in the early hours of Sunday, March 17, on the Rathmullen Road in Drogheda, Co Louth.
The vehicle allegedly involved failed to remain at the scene after a collision. Now we can reveal that a member of the force has been arrested as part of the investigation and has been interviewed.
GSOC told this paper:
STRUCK BY CAR: Niall McEneaney
“GSOC received a referral from An Garda Siochana on March 17, following a road traffic incident in Drogheda that took place in the early hours of the morning. The referral was made by a Garda Superintendent under section 102 (1) of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005.”
Evidence
“The matter is now under investigation by GSOC further to section 98 of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005. As part of the investigation a person has been arrested and interviewed.”
Previously we revealed that a reg plate from the suspected vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run was discovered at the scene which enabled investigators to trace the car owner involved.
We also revealed that CCTV tracing the movements of the suspect and car will prove vital in the probe.
Niall, who managed Termonfeckin club St Fechins to the last two Louth senior hurling championship titles, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead by emergency services.