Thursday 29 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. 12664Possession of drugs (cannabis) · Co. Donegal · 2 Dec 2023

Derry man fined €250 for cannabis possession after Buncrana road traffic stop

Fearghal McLaughlin, 29, of Creggan, Derry, was convicted at Buncrana District Court of possessing a small bag of cannabis found in his car during a road traffic stop at Lisfannon, Buncrana, on 2 December 2023. Judge Deirdre Gearty fined him €250 in his absence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcLaughlin was driving a white Vauxhall Insignia. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatGarda Flanagan detected a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMcLaughlin produced a small bag of cannabis from the centre console of the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMcLaughlin admitted the cannabis was for his own use. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe value of the seized drugs was listed at €30. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe stop took place at Lisfannon, Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on Saturday, 2 December 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGarda Mark Flanagan was dealing with a road traffic matter when he stopped the driver. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAt 2.45am the driver was informed his vehicle would be searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested for a road traffic matter and brought to Buncrana Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA PDT test confirmed the substance was cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeFearghal McLaughlin was charged with possession of drugs under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defendant did not appear in court and the case proceeded in his absence. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Deirdre Gearty convicted McLaughlin as charged. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €250 with a deadline of five months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceRecognisance was fixed at €100 cash should he appeal. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Sep2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    ‘Smell of cannabis was coming from the car’ when gardai questioned the driver

    Court report of the conviction and fine; the defendant did not appear and the case proceeded in his absence.

    convicted, Fearghal McLaughlin, 29, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Fearghal McLaughlin