Ireland Laois man convicted of refusing blood sample after roadside drug test
James Kelly (30), also known as James Ryan, of Maryborough, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, was arrested after Garda David O'Byrne stopped his VW Golf on the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise at 10.30am on 25 February 2025, following a failure to use the correct lane at a roundabout and not indicating off it, and a roadside drug test returned a positive reading. At Portlaoise Garda Station he was accused of refusing a blood sample, saying he feared needles, and then refusing a urine sample. A court report published on 29 June 2025 said he was convicted, disqualified from driving for four years and fined €500 with 12 months to pay, with gardaí producing tattoo photographs they said contradicted his claim. He appealed before the sitting of the court concluded.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James Kelly (30), also known as James Ryan, was arrested and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station.
- He refused a blood sample, saying he feared needles, and then refused a urine sample.
- Where
- Garda David O'Byrne stopped his VW Golf on the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise.
- When
- The stop was at 10.30am on 25 February 2025, and the refusal was at Portlaoise Garda Station on the same date.
- Cause
- The car was stopped after failing to use the correct lane at a roundabout and not indicating off it.
- Investigation
- A roadside drug test returned a positive reading for drugs.
- Gardaí produced photographs of tattoos that they said contradicted the man's claim of fearing needles; the defence said the photographs had not been disclosed to it.
- Charges
- He was accused of failing to provide a blood sample.
- In court
- The judge convicted the defendant; he had 20 previous convictions, none for intoxicated driving.
- Sentence
- He was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €500, with 12 months to pay.
- Other details
- The man appealed the case before the sitting of the court concluded.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe man was arrested and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe man refused a blood sample, saying he feared needles. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe man was then asked for a urine sample, which he also refused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereGarda David O'Byrne stopped the defendant on the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe man was accused of refusing a sample at Portlaoise Garda Station on February 25. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe car was stopped after failing to use the correct lane at a roundabout and not indicating off it. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA roadside drug test returned a positive reading for drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí produced photographs of tattoos that the gardaí said contradicted the man's claim of fearing needles. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe defence said the photographs had not been disclosed to it. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge convicted the defendant. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe man had 20 previous convictions, none for intoxicated driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe man was disqualified from driving for four years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe man was fined €500 and given 12 months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe man appealed the case before the sitting of the court concluded. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jun2025Laois Garda says man who feared needles had tattoos
Reports the court outcome: conviction, four-year driving disqualification and €500 fine. Also covers the stop on the Mountrath Road, the roadside drug test, the refused blood and urine samples, and the disputed tattoo photographs.
convicted, James Kelly, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kelly