Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Matt Carthy TD, has called on the government to review the use of concurrent sentencing where one of the crimes involves the loss of life.

Deputy Carthy was speaking in the Dáil after meeting with the family of Joe Drennan, who was killed by a known criminal in a hit and run in 2023.

Also attending the meeting were Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, Laois Senator Maria McCormack and Limerick TD Maurice Quinlivan.

Deputy Carthy said that he will be pursuing this issue with Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, who acknowledged in the Dáil that the use of concurrent sentencing would need to be examined.

Deputy Carthy added that if the government does not move to address these concerns, then Sinn Féin will move legislation on the issue.

During Dáil Questions, Teachta Carthy said:

“Joe Drennan was killed in a hit and run in October 2023.

“The man who killed Joe had 46 previous convictions, he was on bail at the time and was banned from driving.

“That night, he drove a BMW at top speed, broke a red light, smashed the car so fast that even after the back wheel had come off, the car continued to proceed to smash into Joe – robbing Joe of his young life.

“He then got out, wiped the car down, and ran away like a coward.

“Shockingly, that man will not serve a single day for killing Joe as the sentence is to run concurrently with a separate firearms conviction”.

He asked:

“Do you agree that the Criminal Justice system in this case has failed Joe Drennan and his family?

“Will the government act – particularly will government introduce legislation to ensure that concurrent sentences do not apply for separate instances where one of those instances has resulted in loss of life?”