Laois man honoured with posthumous degree in journalism
The late Joe Drennan's parents Marguerite and Tim with a picture of their beloved son. Photo: Arthur Ellis
A brilliant Laois student who died in a road tragedy last year was awarded a posthumous degree from University of Limerick (UL) on Thursday.
Much-loved Joe Drennan, who was a fourth-year student when he was fatally injured last October, was awarded a posthumous BA degree in Journalism and Digital Communication.
It was an emotional but very proud day for his heartbroken parents Marguerite and Tim and his sisters Sarah and Ava from Knocknagad, Camross, Mountrath, who travelled to the university for the award ceremony.
In a heartfelt tribute, UL said that Joe was ‘a talented and award-winning young journalism student who is much missed by staff and his classmates’.
Earlier this year, a new memorial competition for inclusive journalism was launched in his name by UL, in association with the .
The 21-year-old was struck by a car while waiting at a bus stop near the university in Castletroy shortly before 10pm on Friday 13 October, after he finished work at a restaurant nearby.
He was sadly pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick that night.
Joe is deeply mourned by his parents, sisters Sarah, Ava and Marie, brothers Richard, John and Kieran, other relatives and a very wide circle of friends.
A 20-year-old driver from Limerick has been charged with a series of traffic offences in connection with the crash, including dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene.
He is also accused of failing to offer assistance to Mr Drennan knowing that he was dead or injured, failing to report the incident to gardaí and criminal damage to a vehicle.
In July, he was sent forward for trial to Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Highly regarded as a writer and commentator, Joe was editor-in-chief of the publication at the time of his horrific death.
The committee of Laois Pride, in association with the , launched a writing competition for members of the local LGBT+ community in his honour this summer.
The overall winner will be announced at the Laois Pride family fun day on Saturday 7 September and will be awarded with a prize in memory of the young man whose promising future was so cruelly cut short.
