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. 14109Drug driving · Co. Donegal · 7 May 2023

Man jailed for drug driving after fleeing checkpoint in Letterkenny

On 7 May 2023 at 10am, Lee Gibson was stopped at a routine speed checkpoint on Business Park Road in Letterkenny, Donegal, after being recorded at 102kph in an 80kph zone, and he fled on foot from his car. Gardaí found him about 50 minutes later near the Optum Roundabout, and he was charged with driving with cocaine in his body under section 4(1A) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. At Letterkenny District Court the defence argued the case was flawed over a medical bureau certificate, but the judge found he was not prejudiced. On 30 March 2025 Judge Ciaran Liddy sentenced him to six months in prison and disqualified him from driving for one year, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Lee Gibson was stopped during a routine speed checkpoint after being seen travelling at 102kph in an 80kph zone.
  • He got out of the car and fled on foot when it was stopped.
Where
The stop happened at Business Park Road in Letterkenny, Donegal.
When
The stop took place at 10am on 7 May 2023.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found him about 50 minutes later near the Optum Roundabout in Letterkenny.
  • Gardaí searched the car and found a wallet with three empty plastic bags with a white substance, though one report describes the bags as containing traces of cocaine.
  • An oral fluid test at the station was positive for cocaine.
  • A later blood test showed he was over the legal limit for alcohol and cocaine.
Charges
He was charged with driving with cocaine in his body on 7 May 2023 at Business Park Road, Letterkenny, under section 4(1A) of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
In court
  • The defence argued the case was flawed because he was never served with the medical bureau certificate, while the prosecution said the certificate was returned because he had not accepted the letter.
  • The judge accepted there was a deviation but found he was not prejudiced.
  • The court heard he had previous road traffic convictions, including for drink driving.
Sentence
  • Judge Ciaran Liddy sentenced him to six months in prison.
  • He was disqualified from driving for one year.
Other details
The vehicle was seized because it had no tax.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver was stopped during a routine speed checkpoint. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe driver was seen travelling at 102kph in an 80kph zone. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe driver absconded from the car and fled on foot. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offence happened at Business Park Road in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe driver was stopped at 10am on 7 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found the driver about 50 minutes later near the Optum Roundabout in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the car and found a wallet containing three empty plastic bags with a white substance. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid test at the station was positive for cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA later blood test showed the driver was over the legal limit for alcohol and cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe driver was charged with driving with cocaine in his body on 7 May 2023 at Business Park Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge was brought under section 4(1A) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence argued the prosecution case was flawed because the client was never served with the medical bureau certificate. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the certificate was returned because the accused had not accepted the letter. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge accepted there was a deviation but found the accused was not prejudiced. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe court was told the accused had previous road traffic convictions, including for drink driving. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge disqualified the driver from driving for one year. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge sentenced the driver to six months in prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe vehicle was seized because it had no tax. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Mar2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Manor man jailed for drug-driving after fleeing from car at checkpoint

    Court sentencing report. The article was published on 30 March 2025 but gives the offence date as 7 May 2023, and it states the incident date in that form.

    convicted, Lee Gibson, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lee Gibson