Sunday 1 November 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. 22597Careless driving; drink driving · Co. Kilkenny · 12 Jun 2021

Man convicted of careless driving and drink driving at Callan checkpoint

Thomas Purcell of Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, was convicted at Kilkenny District Court of careless driving and drink driving after speeding through a garda checkpoint on the N77 Callan bypass on 12 June 2021. He was fined €1,250 in total and disqualified from driving for three years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPurcell was initially charged with dangerous driving but convicted of the lesser charge of careless driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatPurcell did not contest the drink driving charge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe gardaí had a patrol vehicle with flashing lights, reflective clothing, street lighting, and flashlights at the checkpoint. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe van passed the checkpoint without slowing and was stopped about 2km further at Prologue, Callan. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatPurcell was driving a Volkswagen Caddy van and was the sole occupant. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe checkpoint was at Haggards Green on the N77 Callan bypass. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on the Callan by-pass on the night of 12 June 2021. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationPurcell was unable to give a second breath sample despite five attempts at the Evidenzer machine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationA urine sample showed a level of 219mgs of alcohol per 100mls of urine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentencePurcell was fined €500 for careless driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentencePurcell was fined €750 for drink driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentencePurcell was disqualified from driving for three years. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jan2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Careless driving conviction for man who sped through Callan garda checkpoint

    Reports the conviction and sentencing at Kilkenny District Court, including details of the checkpoint, the failed breath test, the urine alcohol result, and the judge's reasoning for reducing the charge from dangerous to careless driving.

    convicted, Thomas Purcell, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Purcell