Longford man fined for having pepper spray in car when stopped by Gardaí
The Longford man was convicted after Gardaí discovered pepper spray in his car when they stopped him and carried out a search of his vehicle
A man who was found by Gardaí with pepper spray in a car has been fined.
Michael Stokes of Corboy, Edgeworthstown pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the offence on July 22, 2024.
Sgt Enda Daly, court presenter, said Garda Keith Dunleavy was on duty at Townparks, Longford in when he stopped a vehicle the defendant was travelling in shortly after 9pm.
The officer spoke with Stokes, who was a rear seat passenger and he carried out a search on the vehicle.
During the course of the search Gda Dunleavy found incapacitant spray in the possession of Stokes who accepted it was his.
The defendant told Gardaí he "picked it up off a child".
The court heard Stokes had 53 previous convictions, the majority of which were for road traffic offences.
Solicitor Fiona Baxter said her client, who receives a social welfare disability allowance, has dealt with a lot of tragedy in recent years.
"He has a relatively young family and he provides care for them," she added.
Judge Bernadette Owens convicted Stokes and fined him €200 with five months to pay.