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. 13201Drug driving · Co. Longford · 30 Oct 2023

Longford man banned for one year after drug-driving checkpoint stop

Nicholas McDonagh, a 47-year-old man, was stopped at a Garda checkpoint at Annaly Park, Longford, at 11.55am on 30 October 2023 while driving a Peugeot 308. An oral fluid swab test was positive for drugs, and a blood sample taken at Longford Garda Station exceeded the drug-driving limit. He had reportedly taken drugs while watching a boxing fight, and his solicitor said his client felt fine to drive. He pleaded guilty to drug driving at Longford District Court, where Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a €400 fine and a one-year driving ban, reported on 13 July 2025; the ban was postponed until 14 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nicholas McDonagh, aged 47, of 21 Annaly Park, Longford, was stopped while driving a Peugeot 308.
Where
Gardaí were running a checkpoint at Annaly Park, Longford.
When
The stop took place at 11.55am on 30 October 2023.
Cause
He had taken drugs while watching a boxing fight.
Investigation
  • An oral fluid swab test on him was positive for drugs.
  • A blood sample taken at Longford Garda Station exceeded the drug-driving limit.
In court
He pleaded guilty to drug driving at Longford District Court.
Sentence
  • Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a €400 fine, payable within nine months.
  • He was disqualified from driving for one year.
  • The driving ban was postponed until 14 November.
Other details
  • His solicitor said his client felt fine to drive.
  • He had 22 previous convictions.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereGardaí set up a checkpoint at Annaly Park, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe defendant was stopped at 11.55am on 30 October 2023 while driving a Peugeot 308. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe defendant had taken drugs while watching a boxing fight. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid swab test on the defendant was positive for drugs. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA blood sample taken at Longford Garda Station exceeded the drug-driving limit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drug driving. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a €400 fine payable within nine months. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was disqualified from driving for one year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe driving ban was postponed until 14 November. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant's solicitor said his client felt fine to drive. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 22 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jul2025
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man who ‘felt fine to drive’ still had drugs in system when stopped at checkpoint

    Court report on sentencing. Adds the checkpoint location and date, the oral fluid and blood test results, the guilty plea, the €400 fine, the one-year ban and its postponement, and the defendant's previous convictions.

    convicted, Nicholas McDonagh, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nicholas McDonagh