Man was 11 times the drug limit while driving in Laois

A man admitted driving at 11 times the drug driving limit in Laois. 

Elihle Cekiso (30) of 31 Grattan Street, Apartment 2, Portlaoise, was caught drug driving on the N80 at Ballymacken, Portlaoise on August 16 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant failed a roadside swab at a checkpoint and was arrested. He was taken to the garda station where a blood sample was taken which tested positive. 

Sgt Kirby said the man had 10 previous convictions, nine of which related to road traffic offences. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was entering an early guilty plea. She  said the man is a qualified sports coach who had lost his current accommodation. She said “there is a certain reliance on substances” and he was under the influence on the date in question. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man seems to have lost his way but hadn’t offended since 2015. 

Judge Andrew Cody said the reading was significant. “It is eleven times the legal limit.” He fined the man  €300 and disqualified him from driving for two years.