Saturday 31 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. 20598Drink driving (excess alcohol) · Co. Longford · 22 May 2022

Kildare man fined and banned after drink-driving stop in Longford

On 22 May 2022 gardaí stopped a Mercedes jeep heading to Longford at Cloonart North, Bornacoola, Longford, and the driver, Gavin Phelan (44) of Straffan, Kildare, was later charged with driving with an excessive quantity of alcohol in his system. He had failed an oral fluid test, and a later blood test recorded 155mg of alcohol per 100 mls of blood. A judge at Longford District Court registered a conviction. On 22 June 2023 the court fined him €200 and banned him from driving for three years, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gavin Phelan (44), a man from Straffan, Kildare, was charged with driving with an excessive quantity of alcohol in his system.
Where
Gardaí stopped the vehicle at Cloonart North, Bornacoola, Longford.
When
Officers stopped a Mercedes jeep headed to Longford on 22 May 2022.
Investigation
  • The driver's eyes were glassy and there was a smell of alcohol.
  • The driver failed an oral fluid test.
  • A subsequent blood test returned a reading of 155mg of alcohol per 100 mls of blood, which the sources describe as three times the legal limit.
In court
The case was heard at Longford District Court, where the judge registered a conviction.
Sentence
He was fined €200 and banned from driving for three years.
Other details
  • He had one previous conviction.
  • His solicitor said he was on his way back from a gig when he was stopped.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man from Kildare was three times over the legal alcohol limit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe man was stopped by Gardaí at Cloonart North, Bornacoola, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenOfficers stopped a Mercedes jeep headed to Longford on 22 May 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe driver's eyes were glassy and there was a smell of alcohol. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe driver failed an oral fluid test. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA later blood test returned a reading of 155mg of alcohol per 100 mls of blood. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with driving with an excessive quantity of alcohol in his system. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge registered a conviction. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for three years. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe man had one previous conviction. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the man was on his way back from a gig when stopped. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jun2023
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Former wedding band member was three times over alcohol limit when stopped in Longford, court hears

    Court report on the sentencing of a man who was stopped on 22 May 2022 and charged with driving with an excessive quantity of alcohol. He was convicted, fined €200 and banned for three years.

    convicted, Gavin Phelan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gavin Phelan