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. 17769Drug driving · Co. Kildare · 3 Mar 2023

Man sentenced for drug-driving in Maynooth, Kildare

Alessandro Velardo, a 34-year-old man, was caught driving a vehicle under the influence of cocaine at Mill Street in Maynooth, County Kildare, on March 3, 2023. Gardaí reported that a blood test showed cocaine in his system at the time. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Naas District Court on Thursday, March 21, by Judge Desmond Zaidan, who was appearing by video-link. Velardo was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years, and the judge said no further jail time would be added to his current sentence. He was in custody on separate matters at the time of sentencing.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Alessandro Velardo, a 34-year-old man, was caught driving a vehicle while under the influence of cocaine.
Where
The offence took place at Mill Street in Maynooth, County Kildare.
When
The offence took place on March 3, 2023.
Investigation
A blood test showed he had cocaine in his system at the time of the offence.
Charges
Velardo pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence.
In court
  • The case was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, March 21, before Judge Desmond Zaidan, with Velardo appearing by video-link.
  • Velardo has 30 previous convictions, 26 of them for road traffic offences, but none for drug driving.
Other details
Velardo was in custody on separate matters at the time of the sentencing.
Sentence
  • The judge said no further jail time would be added to his current sentence.
  • Velardo was ordered to pay a fine of €500 immediately.
  • Velardo was disqualified from driving for two years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was caught driving a vehicle while under the influence of cocaine at Mill Street in Maynooth. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe offence took place in Maynooth, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe offence took place on March 3, 2023. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationA blood test showed he had cocaine in his system at the time of the offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was heard on Thursday, March 21 last. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty to the offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtHe has 30 previous convictions, 26 of them for road traffic offences, but no previous drug-driving convictions. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would not add any further jail time to his current sentence. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceHe was ordered to immediately pay a fine of €500. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for two years. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Mar2024
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Sentenced for drug-driving offence in Maynooth, County Kildare

    First report of this case. It gives the sentence, the guilty plea, the cocaine blood test result, and the defendant's previous convictions.

    convicted, Alessandro Velardo, 34, male, namedAlessandro Velardo