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. 22731Drink driving; dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 19 Mar 2021

Garda John Gibbons disqualified for three years after drink driving conviction in Donegal

John Gibbons, 24, a garda at the time, was convicted of drink driving and dangerous driving at Donegal District Court on 23 January 2023 for offences committed on 19 March 2021 in Donegal Town. He was disqualified from holding a driving licence for three years and fined.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was a garda at the time of the offence (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe accused pleaded guilty to both offences (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle took off at speed veering over the central line (donegallive.ie)
  • whatHis alcohol level was 170mg per 100ml of blood, above the 50mg limit (donegallive.ie)
  • whatHe was driving at 80km/h in a 50km/h speed restriction area (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Main Street, Donegal Town (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 19 March 2021 (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe vehicle was observed at 12.15am (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeA further charge of dangerous driving was taken into consideration in the conviction (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP accepted a guilty plea in relation to the drink driving offence (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe conviction was imposed by Judge Vincent Deane at Donegal District Court (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from holding a driving licence for three years (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused was fully cooperative, apologetic and remorseful on the night (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHe had no previous record with gardaí (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jan2023
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Three year ban for man who was a garda when caught drink driving

    Reports the conviction and sentence: three-year driving disqualification and a fine for a former garda who pleaded guilty to drink driving (170mg/100ml) and dangerous driving (80km/h in a 50km/h zone) in Donegal Town in March 2021.

    convicted, John Gibbons, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Gibbons