Ireland Case No. 20439Drug driving (driving with cocaine in system) · Co. Longford · 17 Mar 2022
Longford man banned and fined for driving with cocaine in Granard
On 17 March 2022 Garry Smith, a 23-year-old man of Abbeylara, Longford, was stopped by gardaí in a silver Ford Focus at Ballynacross, Granard, after being followed on the Ballyjamesduff Road. An oral fluid test was positive for cocaine, and a later blood sample showed a level above the legal limit. Smith was cautioned, pleaded guilty at Longford District Court and was convicted. The latest development is his sentence, reported in July 2023: a €300 fine payable in four months and a one-year driving ban, with the ban deferred to take effect on 1 October.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced6 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Garry Smith (23) of 2 Abbeycourt, Abbeylara, Longford pleaded guilty to driving while having cocaine in his system.
- The vehicle was being driven at speed, and the garda followed it and signalled it to stop.
- When
- Garda Denise Dockery was on mobile patrol on 17 March 2022 when she observed the defendant driving.
- The sentencing was reported on 6 July 2023 in the article metadata and on 9 July 2023 in the published text.
- Where
- The defendant was driving a silver Ford Focus on the Ballyjamesduff Road, Granard.
- The car stopped at Ballynacross, Granard, Longford.
- Investigation
- An oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine.
- Smith was cautioned and brought to Granard garda station, where the on duty doctor took a blood sample.
- The blood sample showed he was driving with a level of cocaine beyond the legal limit.
- In court
- Solicitor John Quinn told the court his client had entered an early guilty plea, and Sgt Enda Daly said gardaí had no difficulty with a deferral of the ban.
- Judge Bernadette Owens registered a conviction at Longford District Court.
- Sentence
- Smith was fined €300 with four months to pay and banned from driving for one year, with the ban directed to take effect on 1 October.
- Other details
- The defendant had no previous convictions.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGarry Smith (23) of 2 Abbeycourt, Abbeylara, Longford pleaded guilty to driving while having cocaine in his system. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe vehicle was driving at speed and the garda followed it and signalled the car to stop. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe defendant was driving a silver Ford Focus on the Ballyjamesduff Road, Granard. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe car stopped at Ballynacross, Granard, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenGarda Denise Dockery was on mobile patrol on 17 March 2022 when she observed the defendant driving. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationAn oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationMr Smith was cautioned and brought to Granard garda station. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA blood sample taken by the on duty doctor proved he was driving with a level of cocaine beyond the legal limit. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtSolicitor John Quinn told the court his client had entered an early plea of guilty. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtSgt Enda Daly said the gardai had no difficulty with the application for a deferral of the ban. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Bernadette Owens registered a conviction. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceA fine of €300 with four months to pay was imposed. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe one-year disqualification was directed to come into effect on October 1. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Jul2023Longford District Court: Drug driver has ban deferred
Reports the sentencing of Garry Smith for driving with cocaine in his system, including the deferral of the one-year ban to October 1.
convicted, Garry Smith, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Garry Smith