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. 10017Drug possession and dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 18 Apr 2026

Man remanded after drugs seized following Bridgend checkpoint turn-away

On 18 April 2026, a 33-year-old man, Dean Beattie, turned away from a checkpoint at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend, County Donegal, was pursued by gardaí and arrested. Illegal drugs and cash were seized in the operation, and a second man arrested at the scene has since been released. Beattie was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, and driving without insurance or a licence. He was first brought before a special sitting of the court at the weekend, then appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison at Letterkenny District Court on 20 April, where he was remanded in custody. The latest development is that the matter was adjourned until 18 May for directions from the DPP.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man who turned away from a checkpoint in Bridgend at the weekend was pursued by gardaí and arrested.
Where
The incident took place at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend, County Donegal.
When
The incident took place on 18 April 2026.
Other details
The suspect is Dean Beattie, a 33-year-old man.
Investigation
  • Illegal drugs and cash were seized in the operation.
  • A second man arrested at the scene has since been released.
Charges
  • Beattie was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis.
  • Beattie was charged with dangerous driving.
  • Beattie was charged with driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.
  • Beattie was charged with driving without insurance and without a licence.
In court
  • Beattie was first brought before a special sitting of the court at the weekend.
  • Beattie appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison at Letterkenny District Court on 20 April 2026.
  • Beattie was remanded in custody.
  • The matter was adjourned until 18 May for directions from the DPP.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man turned away from a checkpoint in Bridgend at the weekend and was caught with drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatGardaí pursued Beattie after he turned away from a checkpoint, and he was arrested. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 18 April. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationIllegal drugs and cash were seized in the operation. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA second man arrested at the scene has since been released. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBeattie was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBeattie was charged with dangerous driving. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBeattie was charged with driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBeattie was charged with driving without insurance and without a licence. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBeattie appeared by video link from Castlerea Prison at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBeattie has been remanded in custody. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned until 18 May for directions from the DPP. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Apr2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man remanded as drugs seized after Bridgend checkpoint turn-away

    Reports the charges, the remand in custody, the adjournment to 18 May for DPP directions, and that a second man arrested at the scene was released.

    accused, Dean Beattie, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Beattie