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. 16646Drink driving · Co. Laois · 15 Dec 2023

Driver convicted of drink driving at M7/M8 toll plaza, Laois

On 15 December 2023, gardaí were called to the M7/M8 toll plaza in Laois, where an intoxicated man was reported to be driving a BMW 530 series. The driver, Tomas Wojas, aged 34, had travelled from Kerry with a bottle of whisky beside him. Gardaí arrested him and took him to Portlaoise Garda Station, where a blood sample showed a reading of 307mg per 100ml. On 11 July 2024, Portlaoise District Court convicted him, banned him from driving for 10 years and fined him €2,500.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí were called to an intoxicated male driving a BMW 530 series.
Where
The car came to a standstill at the M7/M8 toll plaza in Laois.
When
The incident happened on 15 December 2023, at about 4pm when the report was received.
Other details
  • The suspect is Tomas Wojas, a man aged 34 of Clondalkin, Dublin.
  • The driver had travelled from Kerry in his BMW with a bottle of whisky beside him.
  • The driver had a previous drink driving conviction from 2015 and was banned for three years.
Cause
The driver was intoxicated while driving.
Investigation
  • Gardaí arrested the driver and took him to Portlaoise Garda Station.
  • A blood sample showed a reading of 307mg per 100ml, described as three times the legal limit.
In court
  • The case came before Portlaoise District Court on 11 July 2024.
  • No defence was offered in court for the accused.
  • The driver was convicted at Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
The driver was banned from driving for 10 years and fined €2,500.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí were called to an intoxicated male driving a BMW 530 series. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe car came to a standstill at the M7/M8 toll booth in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 15 December 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested the driver and took him to Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA blood sample showed a reading of 307mg per 100 ml, three times the legal limit. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case came before Portlaoise District Court on 11 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtNo defence was offered in court for the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was banned for 10 years and fined €2,500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver had travelled from Kerry in his BMW with a bottle of whisky beside him. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver had a previous drunk driving conviction from 2015 and was banned for three years. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jul2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    'Paralytic' BMW drunk driver in Laois could have killed people just before Christmas

    Reports the Portlaoise District Court hearing on 11 July 2024, where the driver was convicted, banned for 10 years and fined €2,500. Gives the incident background, the garda evidence, the blood test result and the driver's previous convictions.

    convicted, Tomas Wojas, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Tomas Wojas