Friday 30 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. 17689Drink driving · Co. Laois · 29 Aug 2023

Cullohill man fined and disqualified over drink driving in Laois

John Burke, a 70-year-old man from Cullohill, Co Laois, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after his car was stopped at Levalley, Rathdowney, on 29 August 2023. A breath test at the garda station gave a reading of 49mgs per 100mls of breath. At Portlaoise District Court, the judge rejected a defence argument that his detention was unlawfully prolonged, and Burke was fined €2,500 and disqualified from driving for two years, with six months to pay and recognisance fixed in case of appeal, as reported on 8 April 2024. Guilt was not admitted in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Burke, 70, of Cullohill, Co Laois, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Where
The car was stopped at Levalley, Rathdowney.
When
The stop happened on 29 August 2023.
Cause
  • Garda Olimpia Sosinska followed the car after seeing it swerve to the wrong side of the road and nearly collide with a ditch.
  • When she stopped the car, the garda noticed a strong smell of alcohol.
Investigation
  • The driver admitted to the garda that he had been drinking in Rathdowney.
  • A breath test at the garda station gave a reading of 49mgs per 100mls of breath.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
  • The defence argued that the detention was unlawfully prolonged, and the judge rejected the argument.
Other details
  • Guilt was not admitted in the case.
  • A court heard that after his arrest, the driver repeatedly talked about his neighbours.
Sentence
  • The driver was fined €2,500.
  • The driver was disqualified from driving for two years.
  • The driver was given six months to pay the fine, and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe car was stopped at Levalley, Rathdowney. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe stop happened on 29 August 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe driver admitted to the garda that he had been drinking in Rathdowney. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA breath test at the garda station gave a reading of 49mgs per 100mls of breath. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defence argued the detention was unlawfully prolonged, and the judge rejected the argument. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was fined €2,500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was disqualified from driving for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was given six months to pay the fine and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGuilt was not admitted in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Drunk driver repeatedly talked about his neighbours when arrested in Laois

    Court report of sentencing. Adds the court hearing, the breath test reading, the defence challenge to the detention timeline (rejected by the judge) and the sentence.

    convicted, John Burke, 70, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Burke