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. 18429Drug driving; driving without insurance · Co. Limerick · 17 Mar 2023

Learner driver fined and disqualified for drug driving and no insurance

Sohayb Essefiani, a 19-year-old man from Deer Park, Adare, was stopped at a garda checkpoint at Black Abbey Road, Adare, County Limerick, on 17 March 2023 while practising for his driving test. Gardaí formed the opinion he had consumed an intoxicant, a blood specimen was positive for cannabis, and his insurance details were not provided. He pleaded guilty at Newcastle West Court to drug driving and driving without insurance. He was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for one year for drug driving, and fined €150 for driving without insurance, with no disqualification on that count; the latest report, published in early 2024, records these sentences.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A learner driver was stopped by gardaí at a checkpoint while practising for his driving test.
Where
The offences took place at Black Abbey Road, Adare, County Limerick.
When
The offences took place on 17 March 2023, St Patrick's Day.
Cause
Gardaí formed an opinion that he had consumed an intoxicant.
Investigation
  • He was arrested and taken to Henry Street garda station.
  • A blood specimen taken from him was positive for cannabis.
  • When gardaí asked for his insurance details, they were not provided.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to drug driving and driving without insurance.
In court
  • The case was heard at Newcastle West Court.
  • The court report is dated 31 January 2024 in the article header and 4 February 2024 in the article text.
Sentence
  • He was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for one year for drug driving.
  • He was fined €150 for driving without insurance, and the judge used her discretion not to disqualify him on that count.
Other details
He has no previous convictions.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offences took place at Black Abbey Road, Adare. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 17 March 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeGardaí formed an opinion that the driver had consumed an intoxicant. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationA blood specimen taken from the driver was positive for cannabis. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Newcastle West Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €150 for driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for one year for drug driving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe driver was practising for his driving test when stopped. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge used her discretion not to disqualify him on the insurance count. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jan2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Learner driver pleads guilty to drug driving while practicing for test

    Court report on a guilty plea and sentence. The incident was on St Patrick's Day 2023 at Black Abbey Road, Adare, while the driver was practising for his driving test. The article states the sentences and that he has no previous convictions.

    convicted, Sohayb Essefiani, 19, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sohayb Essefiani