Offaly motorist disqualified for drug driving in Cloghan

A strong smell of drugs was emanating from a vehicle when it was stopped by Gardaí in Cloghan, Tullamore District Court heard last Wednesday.

Appearing before Judge Andrew Cody was Patrick Cox, with an address at Lavagh Road, Lusmagh, Banagher in County Offaly.

Sgt Kearns, court presenter, told the court that on October 16, 2024, the defendant was stopped at Banagher Street in Cloghan, by Garda Leahy, who noticed a smell he suspected to be drugs emanating from the vehicle.

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The accused handed over €30 of a drug which he said was for personal use. A drug test swab indicated drug use at the time of driving and the defendant was arrested and brought to the Garda Station for a blood test.

The court heard the defendant has 12 previous convictions, including several related to road traffic offences.

Solicitor for the defendant, Patrick Martin, said his client pleads guilty to all matters. He works in construction and the loss of his driving license will have serious consequences for him.

He has three children and hasn't smoked the drug since the alleged offence, Mr Martin said. He asked Judge Cody to enforce the mandatory disqualification from driving until January of next year to permit him to get his affairs in order.

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Losing his driving license "is going to put extreme financial pressure on the family", Mr Martin added.

Judge Cody disqualified Mr Cox from driving for one year and fined him €300 for driving under the influence of drugs. For the possession of the drug Judge Cody fined the defendant €200 with six months to pay.