Ireland Kilkenny man convicted of dangerous and drink driving, disqualified for six years
On 8 March 2024, gardaí were called to Stoneyford, County Kilkenny, after a motorist reported that Patrick McDonald, a 49-year-old man, had been driving dangerously in Thomastown. Gardaí noticed a strong smell of alcohol, arrested him and took him to Thomastown Garda Station, where a doctor's urine sample showed 407mgs of alcohol per 100mls. McDonald pleaded guilty at Kilkenny District Court to dangerous driving, including two counts, and to drink driving, and was convicted. A court report published on 5 June 2025 says he was sentenced to five months' imprisonment for drink driving, suspended for 12 months on conditions, and disqualified from driving for six years, with two years for each dangerous driving conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- Gardaí were called to Stoneyford, County Kilkenny, just after 11am.
- When
- The incident happened on 8 March 2024.
- Cause
- A motorist alerted gardaí after seeing the driver drive dangerously in Thomastown.
- Investigation
- Gardaí noticed a strong smell of alcohol from the driver and his eyes were glassy.
- The driver was arrested and taken to Thomastown Garda Station.
- A urine sample taken by a doctor showed 407mgs of alcohol per 100mls of urine.
- A witness saw the driver strike the side of a third vehicle, knocking off its wing mirror.
- In court
- Patrick McDonald pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, including two counts, and to drink driving, and was convicted.
- The judge described the alcohol reading as astonishingly high.
- Sentence
- Five months' imprisonment was imposed for drink driving, suspended for 12 months on conditions.
- The driver was disqualified from driving for six years, with two years for each dangerous driving conviction.
- Other details
- The solicitor said the driver is 49 and had worked in a Thomastown hotel for 30 or 40 years.
- A psychiatric report diagnosed the driver with PTSD and anxiety.
- The court was told the driver is not driving any more.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whereGardaí were called to Stoneyford. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 8 March 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeA motorist alerted gardaí after seeing the driver drive dangerously in Thomastown. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationGardaí noticed a strong smell of alcohol from the driver and his eyes were glassy. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe driver was arrested and taken to Thomastown Garda Station. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationA urine sample taken by a doctor showed 407mgs of alcohol per 100mls of urine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationA witness saw the driver strike the side of a third vehicle, knocking off its wing mirror. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe driver was convicted of dangerous driving and drink driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe driver pleaded guilty to the charges, including two counts of dangerous driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe judge described the alcohol reading as astonishingly high. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceFive months imprisonment was imposed for drink driving, suspended for 12 months on conditions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was disqualified from driving for six years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceA two-year disqualification was imposed for each dangerous driving conviction. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the driver is 49 and had worked in a Thomastown hotel for 30 or 40 years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherA psychiatric report diagnosed the driver with PTSD and anxiety. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe driver is not driving any more, the court was told. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2025‘Astonishingly high’ level alcohol in system of Kilkenny driver convicted of dangerous driving
Court report on the sentencing of Patrick McDonald. The incident occurred on 8 March 2024 in Stoneyford and Thomastown. No earlier case in the list matches.
convicted, Patrick McDonald, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonald