Thursday 29 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. 11379Drug possession (ketamine) · Co. Longford · 10 Nov 2024

Man found with ketamine at Longford Garda Station given Probation Act

On November 10, 2024, Garda Declan O'Grady arrested Laurence Connolly (40), of Carn Ard, Circular Road, Galway, for being intoxicated in a public place and brought him to Longford Garda Station, where a search found drugs and a small bag in his possession. The substance was sent to Forensic Science Ireland and confirmed as ketamine. Connolly was charged with the drugs offence and received a 12-month peace bond on December 3, 2024. He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court, where the judge applied the Probation Act, and the latest reported development, in January 2026, is that outcome.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man was found with drugs in Longford Garda Station.
  • Drugs valued at €50 and a small bag were found in his possession during a search.
Where
The drugs were found at Longford Garda Station.
When
The offence is dated November 10, 2024.
Cause
Gardaí arrested the man for being intoxicated in a public place.
Investigation
  • The substance in the bag was sent to Forensic Science Ireland and confirmed as ketamine.
  • Sources give the street value of the ketamine as €20, while the search valuation was €50.
Charges
The man was charged with the drugs offence.
Other details
  • On December 3, 2024, the defendant received a 12-month peace bond.
  • The defence solicitor was hopeful there had been no issues since the peace bond was signed.
  • Gardaí said there had been no further offending after the peace bond.
In court
  • The defendant pleaded guilty at Longford District Court.
  • The judge considered the guilty plea and the lack of previous convictions.
Sentence
The judge applied the Probation Act.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was found with drugs in Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatDrugs worth €50 and a small bag were found in his possession. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were found at Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offence is dated November 10, 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeGardaí arrested the man for being intoxicated in a public place. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe substance in the bag was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for testing. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe substance was confirmed as ketamine with a street value of €20. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was subsequently charged with the drugs offence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge considered his guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge decided to apply the Probation Act. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherOn December 3, 2024 the defendant received a 12-month peace bond. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defence solicitor was hopeful there had been no issues since the peace bond was signed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherGardaí said there had been no further offending after the peace bond. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jan2026
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Man found with drugs in Longford Garda Station given benefit of probation act

    Court outcome: guilty plea at Longford District Court and Probation Act applied. Adds background on the 2024 arrest, the peace bond, and the lab confirmation of ketamine.

    accused, Laurence Connolly, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Laurence Connolly