A GANGLAND thug, previously jailed for killing University of Limerick journalism student Joe Drennan in a hit and run two years ago, has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to having a knife as well as heroin and cocaine for sale.
Kieran Fogarty, (21), Hyde Road, Limerick, admitted four criminal charges at Limerick Circuit Court.
Fogarty replied “guilty” after he was arraigned before Judge Colin Daly on three charges, of possessing heroin for sale or supply; possessing cocaine for sale or supply; and possessing cannabis for sale or supply, all contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
Fogarty admitted having the drugs on his person, at or near William Street, Limerick City, on March 2, 2023.
Fogarty also pleaded guilty to possession of a “flick-knife” at or near William Street, Limerick City, also on March 2, 2023, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
Last month, in a Court of Appeal ruling, Fogarty was re-sentenced to 13 years, for a gangland drive-by shooting in June 2023, and for killing 21-year-old Joe Drennan by knocking him down and leaving the scene of the collision four months later.
Mr Drennan had been waiting at a bus stop when Fogarty ploughed into him driving a BMW car that he lost control of after breaking a red light while live-streaming himself online speeding along the R445 at Castletroy.
Fogarty was originally sentenced to six and half years for the fatal hit and run, however the Drennan family campaigned for a tougher sentence after Limerick Circuit Court judge Colin Daly said the hit and run sentence would be served at the same time as an eight and half year sentence he imposed on Fogarty for the drive-by gun attack.
The Court of Appeal took on the case after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed the leniency of Fogarty’s original sentences.
Fogarty had been on bail and was banned from driving by a court order at the time of the fatal hit and run. He was also the subject of five outstanding arrest warrants.
The three judge Court of Appeal agreed that the sentence imposed for the dangerous driving was not proportionate to Fogarty’s offending, and it re-sentenced Fogarty to 14 years in prison with the final year suspended.
The court also banned Fogarty from driving for 20 years upon his release from prison.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Drennan family said the updated sentence finally reflected “some measure of justice for Joe”.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.