Ireland Case No. 10387Drunk in charge of a vehicle · Co. Longford · 8 Oct 2025
Longford man convicted of being drunk in charge of a vehicle and banned for one year
On 8 October 2025, at about 1.15am, Gardaí found a vehicle with its lights on and its engine running at Rathmore, Aughnacliffe, County Longford, with a man asleep at the steering wheel. Thomas Quinn, aged 40, of Aughadowry, Ballinamuck, was arrested and gave a breath sample of 40mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath at Longford Garda Station, above the legal limit of 22mg. He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to being drunk in charge of a vehicle. As reported on 22 March 2026, he was convicted, fined €300 with nine months to pay, and disqualified from driving for one year.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas Quinn, aged 40, was dealt with for being drunk in charge of a vehicle.
- Where
- The offence took place at Rathmore, Aughnacliffe, County Longford.
- When
- The offence took place on 8 October 2025.
- Investigation
- Gardaí saw a vehicle with its lights on at about 1.15am.
- Gardaí found the engine running and a man asleep at the steering wheel.
- Gardaí noticed a smell of alcohol from the driver, whose eyes were glassy.
- The driver failed a roadside breath test after a lawful demand.
- Mr Quinn was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station.
- A breath sample at the station gave a result of 40mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, against a legal limit of 22mg.
- Charges
- Mr Quinn pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to being drunk in charge of a vehicle.
- In court
- The case was heard at Longford District Court.
- Sentence
- The judge convicted Mr Quinn, imposed a €300 fine with nine months to pay, and banned him from driving for 12 months.
- Other details
- He was deemed unsuitable for a fixed charge penalty notice because he had received one in the last three years.
- Mr Quinn had no previous convictions, his solicitor said he has dealt with a depression issue, and he is presently unemployed and helps with farming at home.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe offence took place at Rathmore, Aughnacliffe. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on 8 October 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí saw a vehicle at about 1.15am with its lights on. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the engine running and a man asleep at the steering wheel. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí noticed a smell of alcohol from the driver and his eyes were glassy. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe driver failed a roadside breath test after a lawful demand. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationMr Quinn was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA breath sample at the station gave a result of 40mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeMr Quinn pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to being drunk in charge. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge convicted Mr Quinn and imposed a €300 fine with nine months to pay and a 12-month driving ban. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe legal limit is 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherHe was deemed unsuitable for a fixed charge penalty notice because he had received one in the last three years. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMr Quinn had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMr Quinn's solicitor said he has had to deal with a depression issue. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMr Quinn is presently unemployed and helps with farming at home. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Mar2026County Longford man spotted by Gardai with car lights on after night drinking is banned
First report of the case. It covers the guilty plea, the roadside and station breath tests, the conviction, the fine and the driving ban.
convicted, Thomas Quinn, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Quinn