Ireland Drink driver overtakes unmarked Garda car on Longford road
On Friday 2 September 2022 at 9:04pm, a Ford Transit van overtook an unmarked Garda car on an uphill stretch at Ballynacross, Granard, Co Longford, moving onto the wrong side of the road. Gardaí stopped the van and spoke to its driver, Stephen Levins, aged 47, of Maughera, Finea, Co Cavan, and a later breath test gave a reading of 105/100. He was charged with drink driving, and two dangerous driving charges were struck out at the start of proceedings. Levins pleaded guilty before Judge Bernadette Owens, who recorded a conviction, imposed a €500 fine and disqualified him from driving for three years from 1 May 2024, as reported in February 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced31 Jan
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Other details
- The driver was Stephen Levins, aged 47, of Maughera, Finea, Co Cavan.
- Levins, a self-employed carpenter, pleaded guilty to drink driving.
- Levins's solicitor said he had no previous convictions and that he suffers from depression and is now on medication.
- When
- The offence happened at 9:04pm on Friday 2 September 2022.
- Where
- The offence happened at Ballynacross, Granard, Co Longford.
- What happened
- A Ford Transit van with bright LED lights came up behind the unmarked Garda car at high speed.
- Officers then noticed there were no lights on the rear of the van.
- Cause
- The van overtook the Gardaí on an uphill section of road, moving onto the wrong side of the road.
- Investigation
- Gardaí stopped the van, spoke to Levins and formed the opinion he was intoxicated.
- A subsequent breath test gave a reading of 105/100.
- Charges
- Levins was charged with drink driving, and two dangerous driving charges were struck out at the start of proceedings.
- In court
- Judge Bernadette Owens presided over the case.
- Sentence
- The judge recorded a conviction and imposed a €500 fine.
- Levins was disqualified from driving for three years, effective from 1 May 2024.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Ford Transit van with bright LED lights came up behind the Garda car at high speed. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe van overtook the Gardaí on an uphill section of road, moving onto the wrong side of the road. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatOfficers noticed there were no lights on the rear of the van after it passed them. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe offence happened at Ballynacross, Granard, Co Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe offence was at Ballynacross, Granard, Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence happened at 9:04pm on Friday 2 September 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offence was charged on Friday, September 2, 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenOfficers were in an unmarked patrol car at 9:04pm on the day of the offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeA Ford Transit van overtook the Gardaí on an uphill section of the road, going onto the wrong side of the road. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí stopped the van and spoke to the driver, Levins. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí formed the opinion the driver was intoxicated, and a later test gave a reading of 105/100. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí stopped the van and spoke to the driver, Mr Levins. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA subsequent test returned a reading of 105/100. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeLevins faced a charge of drink driving. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeTwo charges of dangerous driving were struck out at the start of proceedings. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeTwo charges of dangerous driving were struck out. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Bernadette Owens presided over the case. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said he had no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge recorded a conviction and imposed a €500 fine. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceLevins was disqualified from driving for three years, effective from 1 May 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge registered a conviction and imposed a €500 fine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceLevins was disqualified from driving for three years, effective May 1, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLevins pleaded guilty to drink driving. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLevins had no previous convictions, according to his solicitor. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherLevins's solicitor said he suffers from depression and was now on medication. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Feb2024Gardaí in unmarked patrol car overtaken by drunk driver on road in Midlands
Court report: Levins was convicted, fined €500 and disqualified for three years, effective May 1, 2024. Two dangerous driving charges were struck out. The article gives details of the Garda stop and the breath test reading.
convicted, Stephen Levins, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Levins - 31 Jan2024Gardaí in unmarked patrol car overtaken by drunk driver on north Longford road
Adds that Levins pleaded guilty, the court outcome (€500 fine and three-year disqualification from 1 May 2024), the presiding judge, the Garda account of the overtaking, and the breath test reading of 105/100. Also gives his address as Maughera, Finea, Co Cavan.
convicted, Stephen Levins, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Levins