Sunday 1 November 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. 23542Careless driving; drug driving; no motor insurance · Co. Longford · 8 Jun 2021

Longford man convicted of careless driving, drug driving and no insurance after crash at MIT checkpoint

Darren Dowler of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, was convicted at Longford District Court of careless driving, drug driving and no insurance after crashing into a wall while fleeing a Mandatory Intoxication Testing checkpoint at Knockahaw on 8 June 2021. He was fined €200 for drug driving with a one-year driving ban and €100 for no insurance, and was removed from the courtroom after calling the prosecuting garda 'an absolute pig'.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 12-registered black Ford Mondeo carried out a u-turn at the checkpoint and headed back towards Longford town at speed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle went through a stop sign before colliding with a car and crashing into a wall. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatBoth cars were extensively damaged. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe driver of the other car was uninjured. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatA seven-month-old child, the couple's son, was in the back of the car. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatMr Dowler refused to get out of the car and was told he would be pepper sprayed if he did not comply. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatMr Dowler was arrested just before 9pm and placed in handcuffs. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at a Mandatory Intoxication Testing checkpoint at Knockahaw, Co Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred shortly after 8:30pm on 8 June 2021. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA certificate of analysis returned on 10 August showed Mr Dowler had cannabis in his system. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge John Brennan convicted Mr Dowler of careless driving, drug driving and no insurance. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge reduced the dangerous driving charge to careless driving and imposed no disqualification for that charge. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtCharges of failing to produce insurance within ten days and driving with no licence were struck out and taken into consideration respectively. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceA €200 fine and one-year driving ban were imposed for drug driving. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe disqualification start date would not commence until 28 May 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceA further €100 fine was issued for the no insurance charge with six months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMr Dowler had two previous convictions dating back over a decade. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMr Dowler acted as carer to his partner who suffers from scoliosis. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMr Dowler called the prosecuting garda 'a proven liar' and 'an absolute pig'. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMr Dowler was removed from the courtroom after refusing to withdraw his remarks. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2022
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man brands garda ‘an absolute pig’ before telling judge ‘tiocfaidh ár lá’

    Details of the conviction and sentencing, including the defendant's outbursts in court, his intention to appeal, and his removal from the courtroom.

    convicted, Darren Dowler, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Dowler