Laois Gardaí arrest driver for alleged drug offences

Laois Gardaí have seized a vehicle and arrested a driver during an MIT (Mandatory Intoxicant Testing) checkpoint on Thursday, January 1.

"A very positive start to the New Year," Gardaí remarked in a post on social media.

Gardaí say that the driver alleged that they did not have their driving licence with them.

"The driver’s opening line was 'I don’t have my licence on me, I’ll drop it into the station.' Small problem... they’ve never held a driving licence. EVER," Laois Gardaí alleged.

Gardaí shared that 'things didn't improve' from there either.

A roadside drug test was carried out, and allegedly returned positive for cocaine, cannabis and opiates, claimed gardaí. 

"That’s what we call starting off 2026 in a positive, but not good way," Gardaí said.

The driver was arrested, and the vehicle was seized.

"A friendly New Year’s Reminder from Laois Roads Policing Unit: If your new years resolution involves lying at checkpoints, driving without insurance and testing positive for half the pharmacy… then 2026 is going to be a very long year," they finished.

Court proceedings on the case have commenced.