Thursday 5 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. 31074Drug driving (cocaine); dangerous driving; driving without insurance · Co. Limerick · 27 Mar 2020

James Kinsella disqualified for cocaine driving through Bruff, Limerick

James Kinsella, a former Defence Forces member from Ballingarry, Garryspillane, pleaded guilty at Kilmallock Court to drug driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance after driving a camper van at speed through Bruff on 27 March 2020 while under the influence of cocaine. He was fined and disqualified from driving for four years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames Kinsella pleaded guilty to drug driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe driver kept driving towards Bruff, sometimes on the wrong side of the road and around blind bends, and increased speed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatMr Kinsella failed to stop at a junction in Bruff and drove straight through down Main Street before turning into a lane. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatHe crashed into the pier of a gate before taking off on foot. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle had bald tyres. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereGarda Patrick Aherne was operating a checkpoint at Ballynalahagh, outside Bruff, shortly after 9am on 27 March 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationHe failed a roadside breath test and was arrested, later giving a blood sample. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe blood sample confirmed cocaine at a concentration more than five times the legal limit. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeCharges of no tax, tax not displayed, no insurance displayed, failing to produce insurance and certificate of road worthiness, failing to stop, not wearing a seat belt and having bald tyres were taken into consideration. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Kilmallock Court before Judge Patricia Harney. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Patricia Harney fined him €200 and disqualified him from driving for four years on the drug driving charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe fined him €500 with a two-year disqualification for dangerous driving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe fined him €250 for driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe fined him €50 for having no valid certificate of road worthiness. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe was a former member of the Defence Forces who had served in Africa. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe had been prescribed the drug Larium during his service in Africa. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe had a valid licence and insurance but not on the camper van. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe had lost the keys to his own car that morning. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor Kevin Power said the incident was probably the apex of a complete spiral of being out of control. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jul2021
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Driver of campervan who drive through Limerick village 'at speed' had taken cocaine

    Reports the full sentencing at Kilmallock Court, including the blood test result confirming cocaine at more than five times the legal limit, the sequence of events at the Ballynalahagh checkpoint, and the judge's remarks on the defendant's background and treatment.

    convicted, James Kinsella, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kinsella