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. 14051Drug driving · Co. Donegal · 29 Dec 2023

Letterkenny man given one-year driving disqualification for drug-driving

Bernard Alcorn, a 42-year-old man from Letterkenny, was charged with driving a vehicle while exceeding the drug-driving limit on Convent Road, Letterkenny, on 29 December 2023. Inspector Seamus McGonigle told Letterkenny District Court that he tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. Alcorn pleaded guilty at Letterkenny District Court, where his solicitor described the incident as a slip in judgement. Judge Ciaran Liddy disqualified him from driving for one year and fined him €100, with the State not objecting to a six-month deferral of the start of the ban, as reported in April 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Bernard Alcorn, a 42-year-old man, was charged with driving a mechanically propelled vehicle while exceeding the drug-driving limit.
Where
The offence took place on Convent Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
The offence took place on 29 December 2023.
Investigation
Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the court that Alcorn tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.
Charges
He was charged with driving while exceeding the drug-driving limit.
In court
  • He pleaded guilty to a drug-driving charge at Letterkenny District Court.
  • The State had no objection to a six-month deferral on the start of a driving disqualification.
Sentence
  • Judge Ciaran Liddy disqualified him from driving for one year.
  • He was also fined €100.
Other details
  • His solicitor said he apologised and that it was a slip in judgement.
  • His solicitor said he fell off the wagon for a short, momentary period and has since avoided negative individuals and influences.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offence took place on Convent Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 29 December 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationHe tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with driving a vehicle while exceeding the drug-driving limit. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBernard Alcorn pleaded guilty to a drug-driving charge at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe State had no objection to a six-month deferral on the start of a driving disqualification. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Ciaran Liddy put him off the road for one year. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHe was also fined €100. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he apologised and that it was a slip in judgement. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Apr2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Letterkenny man's drug-driving incident 'a slip in judgement', court told

    Reports the guilty plea, test results, sentence of a one-year driving disqualification and €100 fine, and the State's position on a six-month deferral.

    convicted, Bernard Alcorn, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bernard Alcorn