Second drug-driving conviction and two-year ban for Leitrim employee

Evan Burns (24), of Doohat, Newbliss, Co Monaghan, was fined €250 and disqualified for two years at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on Sept 16 after drugs were detected at 68 ng in a blood sample taken following an oral-fluid positive.

Garda McHale required Burns to provide an oral-fluid sample, which tested positive for drugs. He was arrested, brought to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station, and a blood sample sent for analysis returned 68 nanograms of drugs. The court heard Burns has one previous conviction for a similar matter (with a prior one-year ban).

For the defence, solicitor Ciarán White said Burns is in full-time work with a recycling company in Drumshanbo and hasn’t held a licence since 2021; a further disqualification would affect his longer-term prospects.

Treating it as a second conviction, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham imposed a €250 fine (with five months to pay) and a two-year driving ban.

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