Longford District Court: Drug driver has ban deferred

A young man who drove while intoxicated with cocaine was banned from the road for one year and fined €300 at Longford District Court.

Garry Smith (23) of 2 Abbeycourt, Abbeylara, Longford entered a plea of guilty to driving a mechanically propelled vehicle while having a quantity of cocaine in his system.

The court was told Garda Denise Dockery was on mobile patrol on 17 March, 2022 when she observed the defendant driving a silver Ford Focus on the Ballyjamesduff Road, Granard. The vehicle was driving at speed and the garda followed it and signalled the car to stop.

The car stopped at Ballynacross, Granard, Longford. Garda Dockery spoke to the driver, Garry Smith, describing him as “fidgety” and having “glazed eyes”. The driver was asked for a sample of oral fluid, which tested positive for cocaine.

Mr Smith was cautioned and brought to Granard garda station. A blood sample was taken by the on duty doctor which proved Mr Smith was driving with a level of cocaine beyond the legal limit.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor John Quinn told the court his client had entered an early plea of guilty. Mr Quinn said the defendant was asking if his mandatory disqualification could be postponed for three months to allow Mr Smith get his affairs in order.

The solicitor said the defendant's granny was very ill and that Mr Smith's girlfriend was “in the family way”.

Sgt Enda Daly said the gardai had no difficulty with the application for a deferral of the date of the imposition of the ban.

Judge Bernadette Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €300 with four months to pay. The judge directed that the one year disqualification come into effect on October 1 next.