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. 15733Dangerous driving · Co. Laois · 5 May 2024

Man convicted in absence of dangerous driving on M7 at Portlaoise

Richard Calvert, a 24-year-old man of Garryowen, Limerick, is accused of dangerous driving on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co Laois, on May 5, 2024. Gardaí said he was stopped driving a VW Passat at 159 km/h in a 120 km/h zone, with a strong smell of cannabis from the car and an oral swab that tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines. He failed to appear at Laois court, where Judge Andrew Cody convicted him in his absence of dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest for sentencing. The latest development, reported on October 19, 2024, is that he is unlawfully at large from Limerick Prison and no sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted18 Oct
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The driver of a VW Passat was stopped travelling at 159 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
Where
The incident is alleged to have happened on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The incident is alleged to have happened on May 5, 2024.
Investigation
  • A strong smell of cannabis was noticed from the car, and an oral swab tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines.
  • A further sample taken at Portlaoise Garda Station tested positive for cannabis and was negative for alcohol and any other drugs.
Charges
The man was charged with dangerous driving, and the article also lists driving without a licence or insurance.
In court
  • The man failed to appear in Laois court, where he was accused of dangerous driving.
  • Judge Andrew Cody convicted the man in his absence of dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance, reported on October 19, 2024.
Sentence
A bench warrant was issued for the man's arrest for sentencing, and no sentence has been reported.
Other details
  • The man admitted he was disqualified from driving for seven years.
  • The man, Richard Calvert, 24, of 44 Fairview Crescent, Garryowen, Limerick, had 42 previous convictions for offences including drugs, public order and no insurance.
  • Gardaí said the man is unlawfully at large from Limerick Prison.
  • The case is not linked to separate Limerick drug cases against Richard Calvert, which concern different incidents and a different offence.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver was stopped driving a VW Passat at 159 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident is alleged to have happened on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident is alleged to have happened on May 5, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA strong smell of cannabis was noticed from the car and an oral swab tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA further sample taken at Portlaoise Garda Station tested positive for cannabis but negative for alcohol or any other drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with dangerous driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man failed to appear in court in Laois, where he was accused of dangerous driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody convicted the man in his absence of dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA bench warrant was issued for the man's arrest for sentencing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man admitted he was disqualified from driving for seven years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 42 previous convictions for offences including drugs, public order and no insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí said the man is currently at large from Limerick Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Oct2024
    Convictedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois court issues warrant for man who is unlawfully at large from prison

    Reports the conviction in absence, the bench warrant for sentencing, and that the man is unlawfully at large from Limerick Prison. Not linked to the existing Richard Calvert Limerick drug cases, which concern different incidents and a different offence.

    convicted, Richard Calvert, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Calvert