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. 15626Possession of drugs (cannabis) · Co. Kilkenny · 5 Dec 2023

Man fined for cannabis possession after Danesfort checkpoint stop

On December 5, 2023, gardaí stopped a man at a garda checkpoint at Danesfort, Co Kilkenny, after detecting a strong smell of cannabis from his car. He was searched and €40 worth of cannabis was found, which the court heard was for his own personal use. Maciej Donowski was charged with illegal possession of drugs, and in October 2024 Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court convicted him and imposed a €120 fine, with recognisance fixed in the event of an appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Maciej Donowski, a man, was searched and €40 worth of cannabis was found.
Where
The man was stopped at a garda checkpoint at Danesfort, Co Kilkenny.
When
The stop took place on December 5, 2023.
Cause
Gardaí detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car.
Investigation
Gardaí searched the man after the stop, and the article gives his address as Rathnew, Co Wicklow.
Charges
The man was charged with illegal possession of drugs, namely cannabis.
In court
Sergeant Morgan O'Connor told Kilkenny District Court about the stop.
Sentence
  • Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted the man and imposed a fine of €120.
  • Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Other details
  • The cannabis was for the man's own personal use.
  • Solicitor Joe Farrell said the man was a 'hard working chap'; the key facts describe him as a hard working person.
  • The case was reported in October 2024, about ten months after the incident.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was searched and €40 worth of cannabis was found. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe man was stopped at a garda checkpoint at Danesfort. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe stop took place on December 5, 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with illegal possession of drugs. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtSergeant Morgan O’Connor gave evidence at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Geraldine Carthy convicted him and imposed a fine of €120. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe cannabis was for his own personal use. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherA solicitor said the man was a hard working person. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherRecognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Oct2024
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Kilkenny gardaí find drugs in car stopped at local check point

    New case. The article gives the incident date as December 5, 2023, although it was published in October 2024. It reports the conviction and €120 fine, with recognisance fixed in the event of an appeal.

    convicted, Maciej Donowski, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Maciej Donowski