Friday 30 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. 15653Drug driving, careless driving and abusive behaviour towards a garda · Co. Laois · 17 Jun 2022

Laois man jailed for drug driving and abusing garda at roadside

On 17 June 2022 at Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise, County Laois, Garda Sergeant Eoin Gardiner pulled over a Ford Mondeo that had been travelling at speed, and the driver, Bernard McDonagh (49), is alleged to have called the garda a pig and told him to go home and beat his wife. McDonagh was arrested and charged with drug driving, careless driving and abusive behaviour towards a garda, and he denied the drug driving and careless driving charges. The defence argued the arrest was tainted, but the judge found it took place at 4.50pm, not 5.50pm, and convicted him. In October 2024 he was jailed for nine months, fined €1,000 and banned from driving for ten years, with recognisance fixed in case of appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bernard McDonagh, 49, of Linden Court, Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise, was charged with drug driving, careless driving and abusive behaviour towards a garda.
  • The man is alleged to have called the garda a pig and told him to go home and beat his wife.
Where
The incident happened at Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The incident happened on 17 June 2022.
Investigation
  • Garda Sergeant Eoin Gardiner, on patrol, saw a Ford Mondeo travelling at speed from the Link Road at about 4.45pm and put on lights and sirens and pulled out in front of the car.
  • A blood test was positive for a benzodiazepine, which the garda said was a controlled substance.
  • The arrest time was disputed, with the judge finding it was 4.50pm rather than 5.50pm.
Charges
The man denied the drug driving and careless driving charges.
In court
The defence argued the arrest was tainted, and the judge convicted the man.
Sentence
  • The man was jailed for nine months, fined €1,000 and banned from driving for ten years.
  • Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
Other details
  • The judge described the behaviour as the most appalling he had heard in relation to intoxicated driving.
  • The man had 35 previous convictions, including five under the road traffic act.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man called the garda a pig. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man told the garda to go home and beat his wife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 17 June 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA garda on patrol saw a Ford Mondeo travelling at speed from the Link Road at about 4.45pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe garda put on lights and sirens and pulled out in front of the car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA blood test was positive for a benzodiazepine, which the garda said was a controlled substance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe judge found the arrest was at 4.50pm, not 5.50pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man denied drug driving and careless driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defence argued the arrest was tainted. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge convicted the man. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was jailed for nine months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was fined €1,000. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was banned from driving for ten years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the behaviour as the most appalling he had heard in relation to intoxicated driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 35 previous convictions, including five under the road traffic act. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Oct2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Drug driver told Laois Garda Sergeant to go beat his wife

    Court report on sentencing and conviction; adds the sentence, the judge's comments, the arrest-time dispute raised by the defence, and the blood test result.

    convicted, Bernard McDonagh, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bernard McDonaghvictim, Eoin Gardiner, male, irish (judged from name)Eoin Gardiner