Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 18453Drink driving · Co. Clare · 28 Nov 2022

Clare woman given two driving bans for drink driving in Shannon

On 28 November 2022, Margaret Foley, a 55-year-old South-East Clare woman and healthcare assistant, was detected drink driving at two locations in Shannon: Aidan Park just after 7pm and Clonmoney West at 10.44pm. Garda Brian Jackman of Shannon Garda Station arrested her on suspicion of drink driving, and tests at Ennis Garda Station recorded 272 and 210 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. She pleaded guilty to both offences at Ennis District Court, where Judge Adrian Harris imposed a three-year driving ban for the first offence, a six-year ban for the second and a €200 fine in each case. The Clare Echo reported the sentence on 30 January 2024, and the sources differ on whether the bans run concurrently, so she serves six years, or add up to nine years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Margaret Foley, a 55-year-old South-East Clare woman and healthcare assistant, was detected drink driving twice in one night.
Where
The first detection was at Aidan Park, Shannon, and the second at Clonmoney West, Shannon.
When
The first detection was just after 7pm on 28 November 2022, and the second was at 10.44pm the same night.
Investigation
  • Garda Brian Jackman of Shannon Garda Station arrested Ms Foley on suspicion of drink driving.
  • A test at Ennis Garda Station found 272 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, and a second sample showed 210 milligrams.
Other details
  • Ms Foley was released from custody at Ennis Garda Station before the second incident.
  • The Clare Echo reported the sentencing on 30 January 2024.
In court
  • Ms Foley pleaded guilty to the two drink driving offences and had no previous convictions.
  • The case was heard at Ennis District Court before Judge Adrian Harris.
Sentence
  • A three-year driving ban was imposed for the first offence and a six-year ban for the second.
  • The sources disagree on the total: the case details say the bans are concurrent, so she serves six years, while the Clare Echo report says they add to a cumulative nine years.
  • A fine of €200 was imposed in each case.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMargaret Foley, a 55-year-old South-East Clare woman, received two separate driving bans. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe first stop was at Aidan Park, Shannon. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe second stop was at Clonmoney West, Shannon. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe first drink driving detection was just after 7pm on 28 November 2022. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe second detection was at 10.44pm the same night. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationGarda Brian Jackman of Shannon Garda Station arrested Ms Foley on suspicion of drink driving. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationA test at Ennis Garda Station found 272 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationThe second blood sample showed 210 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtMs Foley pleaded guilty to the two drink driving offences. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtMs Foley had no previous convictions. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ennis District Court before Judge Adrian Harris. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceA three-year driving ban was imposed for the first offence. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceA six-year driving ban was imposed for the second offence. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe driving bans are concurrent, so she will serve a six-year ban. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €200 was imposed in each case. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMs Foley was released from custody at Ennis Garda Station before the second incident. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2024
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, first report
    Two driving bans for healthcare assistant found drink-driving twice in one night by same Garda - Clare Echo

    Court report of the sentencing at Ennis District Court; gives the blood alcohol readings, the locations, the concurrent ban terms and the fines.

    convicted, Margaret Foley, 55, female, named, irish (judged from name)Margaret Foley