Hit and run tragedy: Tributes continue to roll in after funeral of 21-year-old Limerick journalist Joe Drennan

On Friday, October 13, a fatal hit-and-run took place in Limerick city, taking the life of 21-year-old Joe Drennan.

The final year journalism student in the University of Limerick was a hardworking, talented writer, working with Gay Community News and just recently taking on the role of editor-in-chief of UL's fourth-year journalism student's digital news project, Limerick Voice.

Molly Cantwell, a contributor to Hot Press and Joe's co-editor of the Limerick Voice, has put together a tribute for her dear friend and colleague:

On Friday, October 13, a precious light went out in the Limerick Voice team.

Our dear friend and fearless leader was the victim of a senseless tragedy and a piece of all of our hearts passed away with him.

There are no words to describe the incredible loss we’re feeling as a class and as a group of young journalists. You never expect something like this to land on your doorstep, to read an article that’s about the loss of your dear friend, or to be lost for words when it’s words that brought us all together.

Joe was a force to be reckoned with. His passion, talent, charisma, and absolute grá for his work was so evident in absolutely everything he did. He was so passionate about his work with Gay Community News and was so determined to build a powerful future for himself. We knew there was no question he would be the one walking into a much sought-after job at the end of our degree.

A compliment from Joe on your work meant more than any kind of grade or editor's comment. He had a gift, not just in terms of his work ethic, but in how he’d make you feel.

Joe’s little mannerisms and sayings have been talked about many, many times over the past few days and will continue to be by our class. I, for one, have no doubt I’ll recount the way he fixed his fringe or held his famous Marc Jacobs bag, to anyone who’ll listen, forever.

Joe’s vision for the Limerick Voice was so powerful and will remain so potent in all of our hearts as we try to honour him.

As his co-editor, I’m at a complete loss as to how to move forward and do any of this without him. I don’t know what to do with myself. We’d become so close we worked like a well-oiled machine. I can hear his voice in my head telling me to make sure to get up some news stories this week or sending me voice-notes with story ideas. We were on a mission with LV and so much more – and now I’m on a mission to continue his incredible work and legacy. I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself with you, Joe. Everything I write and everything I do from now on will always be for you.

As we come to some sort of terms with our grief, we’ll continue to fight the good fight for every under-represented voice, as Joe would have wanted. We’ll follow in his exceptionally talented (and stylish) footsteps, bringing his mission for the Limerick Voice to the people of Limerick and upholding his determination to give a voice to the voiceless.

While we already know that none of us will ever be the same, we’re determined to remember him in absolutely everything we do.

Sleep tight Joe - we’ll love you and miss you forever.

Messages to Joe from the Limerick Voice team:

“Rest in peace my darling Joey, I love you more than you could ever know. I’m so proud of everything you have achieved. You amazed me every day. You’re the best friend l ever had and I’ll miss you forever, my dear twin. I Love you Joey. You were brilliant.” – Síofra Grant

“You will always be my best friend. I’ll love you forever.” – Ellie McCarthy

“Everyone you met knew how special you were. We’ll love you forever and will never forget you.” – Joe Costigan

“Blessed to have been your friend in this lifetime. Your kind and talented soul will never be forgotten. Love you forever.” – Stella Gordon

“I’m so grateful to have been a small part of your massive world. Love you forever.” – Áine Ní Mhurchú

“Joe – a fabulous, confident, kind, intelligent, and amazingly talented person. An absolute force to be reckoned with. It was an honour and privilege to know you. Rest easy Joe.” – Nicola Flynn

“I feel so lucky to have known such a vibrant, kind soul. You’ll always be our friend.” – Alexandra O’Sullivan

“Everything I write will always be for you, Joe. I’ll miss you forever.” – Molly Cantwell

“You will be so greatly missed Joe and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.” – Holly Burke

“Rest easy Joe, it was an absolute pleasure to get to know you.” – Rachel Kelly

“A kind soul, a gentleman that always looked out for others, and a visionary at heart. Lots of love, Joe.” – Daniel Ryan

“It was an absolute honour to call you a friend, Joe. You will never be forgotten. Rest easy.” – Corey O’Brien

“A pleasure and a privilege to have called you a colleague and a friend, Joe. Rest easy bud.” – Oisín Nolan.

“You were always incredibly kind to me and generous with your laughter and time. It is a total loss to the Limerick Voice to lose your vision. Thanks for your time. You were going places.” – Thomas Lawrence

“Fantastic editor-in-chief, even better colleague. Privileged to have known you. A joy to have around campus, Joe, you will be dearly missed.” – Matthew Hurley

“Joe, you were going to take over the world, now you have the whole universe. You will never ever be forgotten, we all love you so much. Missing you forever.” – Lauren Beirne

“Rest in peace Joe. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn with you for a short time. We’ll never forget you.” – Caitriona Potter

“A great journalist, and even better person. You’ll be missed.” – Oisín White

"Just last week, as we walked to class, I told Joe that he was becoming my mentor. He laughed, but I meant it. As editor in chief of the Limerick Voice, Joe motivated and encouraged. A true inspiration to all of us." - Gemma Good

“You were the best of us. We will miss you always. You, my friend, will be remembered as someone whose words illuminated truth, sparked change, and inspired us all. Your passion and dedication will forever echo in the stories you've told. Rest in peace.” – Cillian Foley