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. 16097Drug driving · Co. Offaly · 18 May 2024

Long driving ban and fine for motorist who tested positive for drugs in Cloghan, Offaly

Paul Burns, a man reported as 49 (his barrister said 48), was recorded by another driver swerving all over the road on 18 May 2024 at Ferbane Street, Cloghan, County Offaly. Gardaí saw him driving on the wrong side of the road, and he tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. He pleaded guilty and apologised in court, and the judge said he was wise to do so. Reported on 12 September 2024, he was fined €500, given six months to pay, and disqualified from driving for four years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A driver was recorded by another driver swerving all over the road.
  • Gardaí saw Paul Burns driving on the wrong side of the road.
  • The driver tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.
Where
The incident happened at Ferbane Street, Cloghan, County Offaly.
When
The incident happened on 18 May 2024.
Other details
  • Paul Burns was reported as 49 years old, while his barrister said he was 48.
  • Paul Burns had 103 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, assault and criminal damage.
  • This was Paul Burns's first road traffic offence.
In court
  • Paul Burns pleaded guilty and apologised.
  • The judge said Paul Burns was wise to plead guilty.
Sentence
Paul Burns was fined €500, given six months to pay, and disqualified from driving for four years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA driver was recorded by another driver swerving all over the road. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe driver tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí saw the driver driving on the wrong side of the road. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Ferbane Street, Cloghan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 18 May 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe driver pleaded guilty and apologised. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the driver was wise to plead guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was fined €500, given six months to pay, and disqualified from driving for four years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver had 103 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThis was the driver's first road traffic offence. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Sep2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Long driving ban and fine for motorist who tested positive for drugs in Offaly

    Reports the court outcome for a driver who tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. The article gives his age as 49 but the barrister says he was 48. No existing case matched this incident.

    convicted, Paul Burns, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Burns