heartbreak | 

Manhunt on after fatal hit-and-run claims life of talented Laois student (21)

It’s understood gardaí are probing whether a vehicle, later discovered burnt-out in Corbally, may have been connected to the party’ that fled the scene

Yesterday at 07:28

A garda manhunt was yesterday underway for the driver in a fatal hit-and-run collision that claimed the life of a talented 21-year-old journalism student.

Joseph Drennan, from Mountrath, Co. Laois, was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick on Friday night following the collision which involved two vehicles.

The University of Limerick journalism student, who held the role of Editor-in-Chief with the university’s newspaper ‘Limerick Voice’ is understood to have had a part-time job in local restaurant La Cucina in Castletroy.

It’s believed he was making his way on foot to catch a bus home when he was struck, and fatally injured, by one of two vehicles who were involved in a collision on the Dublin Road in Castletroy, shortly after 9.50pm.

The fatal collision has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) as the vehicle allegedly involved in the fatal collision was the subject of an interaction with gardaí prior to the hit-and-run.

Highly thought of as a hard-working and talented journalist, Joseph Drennan was nominated in the prestigious Journalist of the Year National Media category last April.

Originally from Mountrath, it’s understood his heartbroken parents were abroad when the collision occurred and were making their way home yesterday.

In a statement, gardaí confirmed that the collision that claimed Joseph’s life involved two cars.

They said the driver of one car failed to remain at the scene while the male pedestrian, identified locally as Joseph Drennan, was removed to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced deceased.

The male driver 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 at the time.

The scene of the collision remained sealed off yesterday to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination.

In an appeal issued yesterday, gardaí in Limerick requested that any witnesses to the collision to contact them.

“Any road users who were travelling in the area of Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick, on Friday 13th October, between 9pm and 10pm, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this available to Gardaí,” they said.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”

A neighbour who witnessed the aftermath of the crash told yesterday how he had come outside his house to see what had occurred after hearing a loud bang on the road outside.

“We went out to see what had happened and it was obvious that we were dealing with a fairly serious accident,” he said.

“Then, about 11.30pm, we heard the Garda helicopter hovering over the scene. It was obvious they were looking for someone and we heard later that the driver of the second car had fled the scene.”

It’s understood gardaí are probing whether a vehicle, later discovered burnt-out in Corbally, may have been connected to the party’ that fled the scene.

Local Áontú representative Eric Nelligan yesterday extended his deepest sympathies to the Drennan family.

He added that the incident highlighted again the need for additional gardaí to be deployed in the Castletroy area.

Local Mountrath councillor James Kelly also offered his deepest condolences yesterday.

“The whole community is devastated for the Drennan family,” he said. “We’ll rally round and support them as much as we can.”