Sunday 1 November 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. 21690Drug driving; drugs offence (cannabis possession) · Co. Laois · 31 Mar 2023

Driver charged with drug driving and cannabis possession in Portlaoise

On 31 March 2023, the Laois Roads Policing Unit stopped a van in Portlaoise after an ANPR alert flagged its tax as expired 334 days. A strong smell of cannabis was detected from the vehicle and a search found cannabis inside. The driver failed a roadside drug test for cannabis and cocaine. The van was seized and the driver was arrested and charged to appear before Portlaoise District Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged31 Mar
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The incident occurred on 31 March 2023.
Where
The roadside stop took place in Portlaoise, County Laois.
Investigation
The Laois Roads Policing Unit stopped the vehicle after an ANPR alert for tax that had expired 334 days.
What happened
  • A strong smell of cannabis was detected from the vehicle and a search found cannabis inside.
  • The driver failed a roadside drug test for cannabis and cocaine.
Other details
The driver's vehicle was seized.
In court
The driver was charged to appear before Portlaoise District Court.
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA strong smell of cannabis was detected from the vehicle and a search found cannabis inside. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe driver failed a roadside drug test for cannabis and cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe Laois Roads Policing Unit stopped the vehicle in Portlaoise after an ANPR alert for tax that expired 334 days ago. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe driver was charged to appear before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver's vehicle was seized. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2023
    Chargedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Van seized and driver arrested in Laois

    Initial report of the roadside stop, drug test failure, cannabis discovery, arrest, and charging.

    suspect