Thursday 29 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. 10670Drug driving · Co. Laois

Driver stopped in Mountmellick after positive drug test, vehicle without tax

Laois Roads Policing Unit gardaí stopped a vehicle in Mountmellick, County Laois, after it pulled into a service station, on a date not stated in the sources. The driver, whose sex, age and nationality are not given, was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and tested positive on a roadside test for cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines. A check of the vehicle found an expired learner permit and no insurance, NCT or tax, all expired for 3,742 days. The driver was arrested for intoxicated driving, and court proceedings have commenced, as reported on 2 March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The driver of the vehicle was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.
Where
The vehicle was stopped in Mountmellick, County Laois, after it pulled into a service station.
When
The incident date is not stated in the sources; the article was published on 2 March 2026.
Investigation
The driver tested positive on a roadside drug test for cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines.
Cause
  • A check of the vehicle found an expired learner permit and no insurance, NCT or tax.
  • The learner permit, insurance, NCT and tax had all been expired for 3,742 days.
Other details
The driver left the car through the passenger side door quickly, which gardaí believe was an attempt to avoid detection on a forecourt covered by CCTV cameras.
Charges
The driver was arrested for intoxicated driving.
In court
Court proceedings have commenced against the driver.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe vehicle was stopped while the driver was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe stop took place in Mountmellick, County Laois, after the vehicle pulled into a service station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeA check of the vehicle found an expired learner permit, no insurance, NCT or tax, all expired for 3,742 days. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe driver tested positive on a roadside drug test for cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe driver was arrested for intoxicated driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtCourt proceedings have commenced. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver got out of the car through the passenger side door. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Mar2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois Gardaí stop suspected intoxicated driver with tax out-of-date for 3,742 days

    Article reports a single stop in Mountmellick; the driver tested positive for cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines, the vehicle had no tax, insurance or NCT, and court proceedings have commenced. The incident date is not stated.

    suspect