Ireland Man admits cocaine possession and public order offences in Portlaoise
On 16 November 2024, Peter Graham (25), of 56 Limetree Avenue, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, swallowed around €20 worth of cocaine after a garda approached him. He was arrested in Portlaoise at 6.25am that day for causing a disturbance, and he signed a garda notebook admitting the substance was cocaine. At a court hearing reported in April 2025, he pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to possession of cocaine, intoxication and threatening or abusive behaviour, and the matter was adjourned to 23 June. The judge said she would apply the probation act if he donated €200 to Laois Tidy Towns by that date, failing which a conviction and a €350 fine would apply by default.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Peter Graham swallowed cocaine after a garda approached him.
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man ingested around €20 worth of cocaine.
- Gardaí attended a disturbance at Limetree Avenue where the man was shouting.
- Where
- The incident took place at Limetree Avenue, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, County Laois, where Peter Graham lives at number 56.
- When
- The offences occurred on 16 November 2024, with the public order incident at 6.25am.
- Investigation
- He was arrested in Portlaoise at 6.25am for causing a disturbance.
- He signed a garda notebook admitting the substance was cocaine.
- Charges
- He admitted possession of cocaine, intoxication and threatening or abusive behaviour.
- In court
- He had no previous convictions.
- He pleaded guilty, which the State appreciated, and his counsel said he had instructed him to apologise to the gardaí and the court.
- The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 23 June.
- Sentence
- The judge said she would apply the probation act if he donated €200 to Laois Tidy Towns by 23 June.
- If the donation is not made, the default is a conviction and a €350 fine.
- Other details
- The article's metadata gives 2 April 2025, while its byline gives publication as 3 April 2025 at 19:52 BST.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe swallowed cocaine after a garda approached him. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe ingested around €20 worth of cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí attended a disturbance where the man was shouting. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- wherePeter Graham is of 56 Limetree Avenue, Kilminchy, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on 16 November 2024 at Limetree Avenue, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe public order incident occurred at 6.25am. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested in Portlaoise at 6.25am. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationHe signed a garda notebook admitting the substance was cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe admitted possession of cocaine, intoxication and threatening or abusive behaviour. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe pleaded guilty, which the State appreciated. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHis counsel said he instructed him to apologise to the gardaí and the court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 23 June. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said she would apply the probation act if he donated €200 to Laois Tidy Towns by 23 June. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceIf the donation was not made, the default would be a conviction and a €350 fine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Apr2025Man had bad reaction after swallowing cocaine in Laois
Reports the guilty plea, the counsel's apology, the judge's conditional probation offer with a €350 fine default, and the adjournment to 23 June at Portlaoise District Court.
accused, Peter Graham, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Graham