Ireland Man accused of drink driving and drug possession at Portlaoise court
Glen Brereton (45), of Ballybrittas, Laois, was accused of drink driving and drug possession. The July 2024 charges relate to a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint at Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas, on 20 July 2024, where drugs were also found at Portlaoise Garda Station, and a March 2024 drink-driving charge relates to Harbour Street, Mountmellick, on 31 March 2024. At Portlaoise District Court, reported on 14 May 2025, the July drink-driving case was dismissed, he pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of drugs and was convicted, and for drink driving he was disqualified from driving for three years and fined €300. The drugs matter was adjourned for a €500 donation to the court poor box by 4 September, after which the judge said she would apply the Probation Act.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Glen Brereton, 45, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of drink driving and drug possession.
- Where
- The July 2024 charges relate to Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas, and the drugs were possessed at Portlaoise Garda Station.
- The March 2024 drink-driving and drugs charges relate to Harbour Street, Mountmellick.
- When
- The July charges relate to 20 July 2024 and the March charges to 31 March 2024.
- Investigation
- Gardaí were operating a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint at Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas, on 20 July 2024.
- Cause
- A garda said he got a strong smell of alcohol from the driver.
- Other details
- The breath reading was 99mg of alcohol per 100ml in July and 80mg per 100ml for the March incident.
- A bag of blue powder was found on him at Portlaoise Garda Station.
- He had one previous conviction, dating back to 2007.
- Charges
- He was charged with possession of drugs at Portlaoise Garda Station.
- In court
- The judge dismissed the July drink-driving case because the stop was outside the authorised townland.
- He pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of drugs, and the judge said she was satisfied to convict him.
- Sentence
- For drink driving he was disqualified from driving for three years and fined €300.
- He was offered the chance to donate €500 to the court poor box by 4 September, after which the judge said she would apply the Probation Act.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man appeared in court accused of drunk driving and drug possession. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe drunk driving and drugs charges relate to Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe July charges relate to 20 July 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí were operating a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint at Ballyshaneduff, Ballybrittas. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with possession of drugs at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was also accused of drink driving and drugs possession at Harbour Street, Mountmellick, on 31 March 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge dismissed the drink-driving case linked to the July checkpoint because the stop was outside the authorised townland. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said she was satisfied to convict him. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for three years and fined €300 for drink driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceHe was offered the chance to donate €500 to the court poor box by 4 September, after which the judge said she would apply the Probation Act. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda said he got a strong smell of alcohol from the driver. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant provided a breath reading of 99 mg of alcohol per 100ml in July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherA bag of blue powder was found on him at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherA breath reading of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml was recorded for the March incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHe had one previous conviction, dating back to 2007. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 May2025Laois drunk driving accused tells gardai ‘I am f**ked now”
Court report on one defendant's sitting at Portlaoise District Court. Covers a July 2024 drink-driving and drugs charge (drink-driving dismissed) and a March 2024 Mountmellick drink-driving charge (conviction and fine). The drugs charge was adjourned for a donation to the court poor box.
convicted, Glen Brereton, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Glen Brereton