Ireland Carndonagh man convicted of drunk-in-charge and obstructing a peace officer
James McLaughlin, a man from Carndonagh, Co Donegal, was found asleep behind the wheel of his van with a glass of whiskey in his lap on the hard shoulder of the R238 at Gortnamara in the early hours of 12 November 2023. Gardaí arrested him under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act, and a blood sample showed a blood-alcohol level of 148 milligrammes per 100 mls. He denied being drunk in charge, and his defence said the van had broken down and could not be driven. At Carndonagh District Court he was convicted of being drunk in charge and of obstructing a peace officer, and was given a two-year driving ban (postponed to 26 November 2025) and fines of €250 and €150. The latest development is that McLaughlin is understood to intend to appeal the verdicts.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James McLaughlin, a man from Carndonagh, was found asleep behind the wheel of his van with a glass of whiskey in his lap.
- Where
- The van was parked on the hard shoulder of the R238 road at Gortnamara, Carndonagh.
- When
- The incident took place in the early hours of 12 November 2023.
- The court outcome is dated 28 May 2025 in the tracker and was published as 3 June 2025 in the article text.
- Investigation
- McLaughlin was arrested under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act and cautioned.
- A blood sample from McLaughlin showed a blood-alcohol level of 148 milligrammes per 100 mls of blood.
- Charges
- McLaughlin denied being drunk in charge of the vehicle.
- His defence said the van had broken down and could not be driven, and McLaughlin said he had opened a small bottle of Jameson to pass the time while waiting for his son.
- McLaughlin was convicted of being drunk in charge, contrary to Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act.
- McLaughlin was also convicted of obstructing a peace officer.
- In court
- The case was heard at Carndonagh District Court, which sits at Buncrana Courthouse.
- Sentence
- McLaughlin was banned from driving for two years, with the ban postponed to 26 November 2025, and fined €250.
- McLaughlin was fined €150 for obstructing a peace officer, with five months to pay.
- Other details
- McLaughlin is understood to intend to appeal the verdicts.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJames McLaughlin was found asleep behind the wheel of his van with a glass of whiskey in his lap. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe van was parked along the hard shoulder of the R238 road at Gortnamara, Carndonagh. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place in the early hours of 12 November 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationMcLaughlin was arrested under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act and cautioned. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA blood sample taken from McLaughlin showed a blood-alcohol level of 148 milligrammes per 100 mls of blood. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcLaughlin denied being drunk in charge of the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcLaughlin was convicted of being drunk in charge, contrary to Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcLaughlin was also convicted of obstructing a peace officer. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcLaughlin was banned from driving for two years and fined €250, with the ban postponed to 26 November 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcLaughlin was fined €150 for obstructing a peace officer, with five months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcLaughlin is understood to intend to appeal the verdicts. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 May2025Sleeping driver had glass of whiskey in his lap when gardaí knocked on van window
Court outcome: conviction for drunk-in-charge and obstructing a peace officer, two-year driving ban (postponed to 26 November 2025), €250 fine and €150 fine, and a stated intention to appeal. Defence argued the van could not be driven.
convicted, James McLaughlin, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McLaughlin