Drug-driver banned after detection at Covid-19 checkpoint
The man was disqualified from driving when his case was before Letterkenny District Court
A man who was stopped at a Covid-19 checkpoint in Letterkenny has been put off the road for drug-driving.
The case of Michael Strawbridge, a 20-year-old of Donneybrewer Road, Campsie, Derry was before Letterkenny District Court this week.
The court heard that Strawbridge was stopped at 4.35pm on January 25, 2021.
Officers were conducting a Covid-19 checkpoint at Port Road when they stopped Strawbridge and detected a smell of cannabis from the vehicle.
Strawbridge failed a roadside test, was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station.
A subsequent blood sample returned positive for the presence of cannabis.
Strawbridge, who has no previous convictions, was said to have been 'very cooperative' with Gardai.
Solicitor for Strawbridge, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was a 20-year-old student whose family is 'well aware' of the case.
“He understands the difficulty he is in,” Mr Gallagher said.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham disqualified Strawbridge from driving for one year. The accused was also fined €250 and given five months to pay.