Ireland Joseph Jessop given suspended sentence and driving ban for drink and drug driving in Offaly
On 23 May 2023 Joseph Jessop (43) of Newtown, Tyrellspass, Westmeath, was stopped by Garda Dermot Bannon while driving on the N52 at Ballard and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. A blood sample showed 155 milligrams of alcohol and 186.2 nanograms of cocaine per 100 millilitres of blood. He was charged with driving under the influence of cocaine and was convicted on 11 November 2023 at Tullamore District Court. In January 2024 Judge Andrew Cody imposed six-month sentences suspended on €100 bonds for both offences, a €500 fine on the cocaine charge and 10-year driving disqualifications, and warned him that he would go to jail if he returned to court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Jan
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Joseph Jessop, a 43-year-old man, was attempting to drive while over the drug limit and while under the influence of alcohol.
- Where
- The offences took place on the N52 at Ballard.
- When
- The offences occurred on 23 May 2023.
- Cause
- Jessop was driving while over the drug limit for cocaine and was also driving while under the influence of alcohol.
- Investigation
- Garda Dermot Bannon of Tullamore Garda Station stopped Jessop and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
- A blood sample showed 155 milligrams of alcohol and 186.2 nanograms of cocaine per 100 millilitres of blood.
- Charges
- Jessop was charged with driving while under the influence of cocaine.
- In court
- Jessop was convicted on 11 November 2023 at Tullamore District Court.
- He had 10 previous convictions, including for dangerous driving, and had been disqualified from driving in 2022.
- Judge Andrew Cody described the cocaine reading as the highest he had ever heard of.
- Sentence
- For the cocaine driving charge he received a six-month sentence suspended on a €100 bond, a €500 fine and a 10-year driving disqualification.
- For driving over the alcohol limit he received a six-month sentence suspended on a €100 bond and a 10-year driving disqualification, to run concurrently.
- The sentences were imposed in January 2024, as reported on 4 January 2024.
- Other details
- The judge said there was nothing more appropriate for him than jail and warned that he would go to jail if he appeared before the court again.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe driving happened on the N52 at Ballard. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereJessop was attempting to drive on the N52 at Ballard. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 23 May 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on 23 May 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeHe was driving while over the drug limit. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeHe was also driving while under the influence of alcohol. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeJessop was stopped and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationHe was stopped by Garda Dermot Bannon of Tullamore Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA blood sample showed 155 milligrams of alcohol and 186.2 nanograms of cocaine per 100 millilitres of blood. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with driving while under the influence of cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeJessop was charged with driving while under the influence of cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtHe had been convicted on 11 November 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtHe had 10 previous convictions, including dangerous driving, and had been disqualified from driving in 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge warned that he would go to jail if he came back before the court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJessop was convicted on 11 November 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge warned Jessop that he will go to jail if he appears before the court again. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceFor the cocaine driving charge he received a six-month sentence suspended on his own bond of €100, a €500 fine and a 10-year driving disqualification. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceFor driving over the alcohol limit he received a six-month sentence suspended on his own bond of €100 and a 10-year driving disqualification, to run concurrently. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceFor driving under the influence of cocaine, Jessop received a six-month sentence suspended on a €100 bond, a €500 fine and a 10-year driving ban. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceFor driving over the alcohol limit, Jessop received a six-month sentence suspended on a €100 bond and a 10-year driving ban, to run concurrently. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said there was nothing more appropriate for him than jail. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Jan2024Man stopped driving in Offaly had highest reading of cocaine judge ever heard of
Reports the sentencing of Joseph Jessop for the 23 May 2023 drink and drug driving offences, after his November 2023 conviction. Judge warned him that he will go to jail if he returns to court. This is a different incident from existing case 14733 (Longford, September 2024) and from case 530 (rape).
convicted, Joseph Jessop, 43, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Jessop - 4 Jan2024Man had highest reading of cocaine judge ever heard of
Reports the sentencing of Joseph Jessop at Tullamore District Court after his conviction on 11 November 2023. He was in court again in January 2024 and the judge imposed suspended sentences, fines and 10-year disqualifications. The article does not state the county of the Ballard location, so Offaly is taken from the Tullamore court and garda station.
convicted, Joseph Jessop, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Jessop