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. 16137Refusing to provide a breath sample; driving without insurance; driving without a licence; public intoxication · Co. Donegal · 21 Mar 2023

Donegal man jailed for four months and banned from driving for seven years

On February 18, 2020, Gerald Crawford, a 40-year-old man with an address in Ballybofey, was charged with being intoxicated in a public place on Donegal Road, Ballybofey. On March 21, 2023, at 4.55pm, he was involved in a two-vehicle road traffic collision at Milltown, Convoy, while serving a driving disqualification, and he was charged with refusing to provide a breath sample, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. In September 2024, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Letterkenny District Court sent him to prison for four months, banned him from driving for seven years in total, and revoked and applied a three-month suspended sentence from 2023. The sentencing is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gerald Crawford, a 40-year-old man with an address in Ballybofey, was involved in a crash while serving a driving disqualification.
Where
The incident took place at Milltown, Convoy, following a two-vehicle road traffic collision.
When
The incident occurred at 4.55pm on March 21, 2023.
Investigation
Crawford refused to give gardaí a breath sample, but he was said to be fully compliant with gardaí following his arrest.
Charges
  • Crawford was charged with refusing to provide a breath sample under the Road Traffic Act.
  • Crawford was charged with driving without insurance and driving without a driving licence on March 21, 2023.
  • Crawford was charged with being intoxicated in a public place on Donegal Road, Ballybofey, on February 18, 2020.
In court
  • Crawford was sent to prison by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham when he appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
  • The court heard that Crawford has 22 previous convictions.
  • The judge said Crawford put other road users at risk by driving while disqualified, which was an aggravating factor.
  • The judge said she had no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.
Sentence
  • Crawford was jailed for four months and banned from driving for a total of seven years.
  • The three-month suspended sentence Crawford was under at the time was revoked and applied.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCrawford was involved in a crash and refused to give gardaí a breath sample while serving a driving disqualification. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Milltown, Convoy, following a two-vehicle road traffic collision. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at 4.55pm on March 21, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCrawford was said to be fully compliant with gardaí following his arrest. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCrawford was charged with refusing to provide a breath sample under the Road Traffic Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCrawford was further charged with driving without insurance and driving without a driving licence on the same date. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeCrawford was also charged with being intoxicated in a public place on Donegal Road, Ballybofey, on February 18, 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCrawford was sent to prison by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe court heard that Crawford has 22 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge said Crawford put other road users at risk by driving while disqualified, which was an aggravating factor. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she had no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceCrawford was jailed for four months and banned from driving for seven years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe three-month suspended sentence from 2023 was revoked and applied. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Sep2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man jailed and put off road for seven years

    Reports the sentence at Letterkenny District Court: four months in prison, seven-year driving ban, and a three-month suspended sentence triggered.

    convicted, Gerald Crawford, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerald Crawford