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. 15640Driving with cocaine in system · Co. Longford · 13 Feb 2023

Driver with cocaine in system fined €450 and banned for one year in Longford

On 13 February 2023, gardaí stopped Martin Ward, 28, of Athenry, Galway, at 5:30pm at Market Square, Longford. He failed a roadside oral fluid test for cocaine, and a later blood test showed cocaine in his system beyond the legal limit. Ward was arrested and later pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to driving with cocaine in his system. Judge Owens registered a conviction, imposed a €450 fine with five months to pay, and disqualified him from holding a licence for one year, as reported in October 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Martin Ward, 28, pleaded guilty to driving with cocaine in his system.
Where
Ward was stopped by gardaí at Market Square, Longford.
When
The stop took place at 5:30pm on 13 February 2023.
Cause
Ward failed a roadside oral fluid test for cocaine.
Investigation
Ward was arrested, and a subsequent blood test showed cocaine in his system beyond the legal limit.
In court
  • The case was heard at Longford District Court.
  • His solicitor said he pleaded guilty to get the matter over with.
Other details
  • The case could have been adjourned pending review of the O'Flaherty High Court decision.
  • The Longford Leader reported the case, with the article dated 28 October 2024 in its header and 29 October 2024 in its text.
Sentence
  • Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a €450 fine, with five months to pay.
  • Ward was disqualified from holding a driving licence for one year.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA defendant pleaded guilty to driving with cocaine in his system when stopped by gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe stop took place at Market Square, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe driver was stopped by gardaí at 5:30pm on 13 February 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeHe failed a roadside oral fluid test for cocaine. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA subsequent blood test showed cocaine in his system beyond the legal limit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHis solicitor said he was pleading guilty to get the matter over with. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a €450 fine, with five months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from holding a licence for one year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHis case could have been adjourned pending review of the O'Flaherty High Court decision. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Oct2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Driver arrested in Longford with cocaine in system banned from driving for one year

    Reports the Longford District Court guilty plea, €450 fine and one-year driving ban for a driver stopped on 13 February 2023. The Martin Ward here is a different person from the existing Monaghan and Tipperary cases.

    convicted, Martin Ward, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Ward