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. 14220Drug driving · Co. Longford

Longford man disqualified for one year after drug driving conviction

David Burke, a man from Bumlin, Strokestown, was stopped at a Garda checkpoint at Mullolagher, County Longford, at 9.20am on a date not given in the sources. An oral fluid sample tested positive for cannabis, and he was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station, where a blood test exceeded the drug-driving limit. He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court on May 30, 2024. The latest development, reported by the Longford Leader on March 16, 2025, is that Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a mandatory 12-month driving ban and a €500 fine, with five months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
David Burke pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to a drug driving offence.
Where
He was stopped at a Garda checkpoint at Mullolagher, County Longford.
When
He was stopped while driving at 9.20am; the sources do not give the date of the stop.
Investigation
  • He provided an oral fluid sample that tested positive for cannabis.
  • He was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station, where a blood test exceeded the drug-driving limit.
Other details
  • His solicitor said he had taken cannabis the previous day and that the amount detected was at the lowest end.
  • He had no previous convictions and is described as a father of two.
In court
He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court on May 30, 2024, according to the Longford Leader, and the court outcome was reported on March 16, 2025.
Sentence
  • Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a mandatory 12-month driving ban.
  • He was fined €500 with five months to pay.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDavid Burke pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to a drug driving offence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe stop took place at a checkpoint at Mullolagher, County Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe defendant was stopped driving at 9.20am. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid sample tested positive for cannabis. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station, where a blood test exceeded the drug-driving limit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Bernadette Owens imposed a mandatory 12-month driving ban. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €500 with five months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he had taken cannabis the previous day and the amount detected was at the lowest end. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Mar2025
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford District Court hears drug driver took cannabis the previous day

    Reports the court outcome: a one-year driving ban and a €500 fine. Gives the checkpoint location and time, the test results, and the defence's mitigation.

    convicted, David Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Burke