Tributes to pedestrian, 21, who died in Limerick collision
Tributes are being paid to an award-winning journalist, 21, who was killed in a collision in Limerick City on Friday night.
Joe Drennan, who was a native of Mountrath in Co Laois, was waiting at a bus stop on the Dublin Road in Limerick when the collision occurred.
The collision occurred at approximately 9.50pm and involved two cars and a pedestrian.
The driver of one car failed to remain at the scene.
Mr Drennan, the pedestrian, was removed to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) where he was later pronounced deceased.
The male driver (40s) and the female adult passenger of the second car were taken to UHL for treatment for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
Mr Drennan was a talented student journalist and was the current editor of the University of Limerick-based newspaper the Limerick Voice. He was shortlisted earlier this year for Journalist of the Year at the annual Student Media Awards for the work he produced as part of his work placement with Gay Community News.
He was also well-known in Limerick City for his part-time work in an Italian restaurant.
One friend wrote on social media: "RIP Joe a beautiful talented young man taken way too soon. May your gentle soul RIP."
Locals were said to be comforting his parents Margaret and Tim at their family home near Knocknegad in Co Laois.
Gardaí at Henry Street are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Any road users who were travelling in the area of Dublin Road, Castletroy, Limerick on Friday between 9pm and 10pm, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this available to gardaí. 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.
Gsoc
One of the cars involved was allegedly subject to interaction with An Garda Síochána prior to the fatal incident on Dublin Road.
The matter has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) under Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, as is required by statute.
A spokeswoman from Gsoc said: "Gsoc received a referral from An Garda Síochána during the early hours of Saturday, 14 October, following a road traffic incident in the Annacotty area of Co Limerick.
"The referral was made by a Garda Superintendent under section 102(1) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
"The matter is now under examination by GSOC and no further comment will be made at this time."
The fatal collision was one of two to occur on Irish roads at the weekend after a man died following a collision between a tractor and a car in Co Louth. The passenger of the car, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
