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. 14128Drug driving · Co. Donegal · 29 Apr 2021

Man banned for two years after drug-driving in Donegal

Gardaí on patrol at Moness, Burt, Donegal, stopped their attention on Lee Blake's black Renault Megane, which was missing a headlight, on 29 April 2021. An oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine, and Blake, a man aged 31, was arrested and cautioned. He was charged with drug driving at Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, and the case was heard at Buncrana District Court, reported on 27 March 2025. He was fined €200 with five months to pay, given a two-year driving ban, and fined €150 for having no tax, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Lee Blake, a 31-year-old man, was banned from driving after drug-driving in County Donegal.
Where
Gardaí were on patrol at Moness, Burt, when they saw a black Renault Megane missing a headlight.
When
Gardaí first noticed Blake's vehicle on 29 April 2021.
Cause
A defective headlight drew Garda attention to the vehicle.
Investigation
  • An oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine.
  • Blake was arrested and cautioned and made no reply.
Charges
  • A fixed charge penalty notice was issued because the vehicle tax was out of date.
  • Blake was charged with driving or attempting to drive while exceeding the drug-driving limit at Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham.
In court
The case was heard at Buncrana District Court and reported on 27 March 2025.
Sentence
  • Blake was fined €200 for the drug-driving charge and given five months to pay.
  • Blake was given a two-year driving ban.
  • Blake was fined €150 for having no tax.
Other details
Blake has previous convictions for driving without insurance and drug driving.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereGardaí were on patrol at Moness, Burt, when they saw a black Renault Megane missing a headlight. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí first took notice of Lee Blake's vehicle on 29 April 2021 because of a defective headlight. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationBlake was arrested and cautioned and made no reply. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeA fixed charge penalty notice was issued to Blake because the vehicle tax was out of date. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBlake was charged with driving or attempting to drive while exceeding the drug-driving limit at Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBlake was fined €200 and given five months to pay for the drug-driving charge. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBlake was handed a two-year driving ban. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBlake was also fined €150 for having no tax. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherBlake has previous convictions for driving without insurance and drug driving. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Mar2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Lights out for Donegal drug-driver as faulty headlight draws Garda attention

    Reports the Buncrana District Court outcome: a €200 fine, five months to pay, a two-year driving ban and a €150 fine for no tax. The article gives the detection date as April 29, 2021, although it was published on 27 March 2025.

    convicted, Lee Blake, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lee Blake