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. 14451Drug driving and driving without insurance · Co. Longford · 24 Oct 2023

Disqualified driver jailed for five months and banned for 16 years in Longford

On 24 October 2023, gardaí observed an Audi A4 being driven at Tonywardan, Longford, with its reverse lights on constantly. A check on a Garda mobility device showed the driver, Barry Murray of Drumroagh, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, was disqualified, and he failed a roadside drug test for suspected cocaine and was arrested. A blood specimen showed 97ng of cocaine, above the drug-driving limit. On 23 February 2025 he pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drug driving and driving without insurance, and was jailed for five months and disqualified from driving until 2040.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí observed an Audi A4 being driven with its reverse lights on constantly.
Where
The offences took place at Tonywardan, Longford.
When
The offences took place on 24 October 2023.
Investigation
  • A check on a Garda mobility device showed the driver was disqualified.
  • He failed a roadside drug test for suspected cocaine and was arrested.
  • A blood specimen showed 97ng of cocaine, above the drug-driving limit.
Charges
He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drug driving and driving without insurance.
In court
The sentencing was reported by the Longford Leader on 23 February 2025.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a five-month prison sentence.
  • He was disqualified from driving until 2040.
Other details
  • He had 30 previous convictions, including two for drink driving and several for driving without insurance.
  • He had previously been disqualified for 15 years on 1 June 2018 for driving without a policy.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí observed an Audi A4 being driven with its reverse lights on constantly. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Tonywardan, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 24 October 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA check on a Garda mobility device showed the driver was disqualified. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationHe failed a roadside drug test for suspected cocaine and was arrested. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA blood specimen showed 97ng of cocaine, above the drug-driving limit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drug driving and driving without insurance. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a five-month prison sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from driving until 2040. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe had 30 previous convictions, including two for drink driving and several for driving without insurance. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe had previously been disqualified for 15 years on 1 June 2018 for driving without a policy. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Feb2025
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Disqualified driver arrested by gardaí in Longford banned for 16 years

    Court report of the sentencing: five-month prison term, disqualification until 2040, and the defendant's previous convictions.

    convicted, Barry Murray, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Murray