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. 3315Drug driving · Co. Laois

Man jailed for drug driving at Laois checkpoint

George Hibberd, 28, of Portlaoise, was sentenced at Tullamore District Court on 27 October 2026 to two consecutive four-month prison sentences for drug driving. The court heard he was 10 times over the limit for cannabis and six times over the limit for cocaine when he drove through a checkpoint at the Laois/Offaly border in Portarlington, almost colliding with gardai. His vehicle was followed through Portarlington for seven to eight kilometres before officers got in front of him. He was already banned from driving at the time of the offence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The driver was 10 times over the limit for cannabis and six times over the limit for cocaine.
  • The driver almost collided with gardai at the checkpoint.
Where
The incident took place at a checkpoint on the Laois/Offaly border in Portarlington.
When
The sentencing took place on 27 October 2026.
In court
The man was sentenced at Tullamore District Court by Judge Andrew Cody.
Sentence
Two consecutive four-month prison sentences were imposed.
Other details
  • The driver was already banned from driving at the time of the offence.
  • The driver's vehicle was followed through Portarlington for seven to eight kilometres before gardai got in front of him.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver was 10 times over the limit for cannabis. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe driver was six times over the limit for cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe driver almost collided with gardai at the checkpoint. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe driver went through a checkpoint at the Laois/Offaly border. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in Portarlington. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was jailed at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe driver was already banned from driving. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Oct2026
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Banned drug driver went through checkpoint at Laois/Offaly border

    Reports the sentencing of a banned drug driver at Tullamore District Court who was 10 times over the cannabis limit and six times over the cocaine limit when he went through a checkpoint in Portarlington.

    suspect, male