Saturday 31 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. 20615Drug driving; driving without insurance · Co. Longford · 29 Jun 2022

Man banned for four years after drug driving and no insurance in Longford

On 29 June 2022, gardaí on mobile patrol in Longford town stopped a black BMW on Killashee Street and the male driver, Darren Duffy (25), was later found to have cocaine in his blood. He had told gardaí he held only a learner permit and did not have it with him, and he admitted having no insurance. Duffy was charged with drug driving and driving without insurance, and his solicitor indicated a guilty plea. On 21 June 2023, Longford District Court convicted him, imposed fines totalling €650 and banned him from the road for four years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Darren Duffy (25) was charged with drug driving and driving without insurance.
Where
Gardaí stopped a black BMW on Killashee Street in Longford town.
When
The incident happened on 29 June 2022.
Investigation
  • The driver said he only had a learner permit and did not have it with him.
  • The driver admitted he had no insurance at the time.
  • An oral fluid sample tested positive for cannabis.
  • A blood test showed 321.3ng/ml of cocaine in the driver's blood.
In court
  • The defendant's solicitor, Frank Gearty, indicated he would plead guilty to the charges at Longford District Court.
  • The defendant has 17 previous convictions.
Sentence
  • The judge registered a conviction and fined the defendant €400 with a four-year disqualification for the no insurance offence.
  • A fine of €250 and a one-year disqualification were also imposed.
  • In total he was fined €650 and banned from the road for four years.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDarren Duffy was charged with drug driving and driving without insurance. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí stopped a black BMW on Killashee Street in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 29 June 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe driver said he only had a learner permit and did not have it with him. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe driver admitted he had no insurance at the time. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid sample tested positive for cannabis. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA blood test showed 321.3ng/ml of cocaine in the driver's blood. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant has 17 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant's solicitor said he would plead guilty to the charges. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge registered a conviction and fined him €400 with a four-year disqualification for the no insurance offence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €250 and a one-year disqualification were also imposed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe was banned from the road for four years and fined €650 in total. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jun2023
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Man hit with four year ban 'did not realise he was so high on cocaine' when stopped, Longford court hears

    Court report of the sentencing. Gives the stop, the drug test results, the defendant's previous convictions, the plea and the penalties imposed. No other existing case matches.

    convicted, Darren Duffy, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Duffy