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. 15710Failing to provide a breath specimen and driving without insurance · Co. Donegal · 6 Oct 2024

Man sentenced to prison over breath sample refusal and no insurance in Letterkenny

On 6 October 2024 in Letterkenny, County Donegal, gardaí arrested John Fitzgerald, a 31-year-old man, at 1:46am on suspicion of drink-driving. He was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen at Letterkenny Garda Station and with driving without insurance at Letterkenny Retail Park. He appeared before Letterkenny District Court, which imposed a three-month prison sentence and a five-year driving disqualification on one charge, and a €250 fine and a five-year disqualification on the other. The report of the sentence was published on 22 October 2024, and recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The case concerns a 31-year-old man, John Fitzgerald, and a refusal to give a breath sample and driving without insurance.
When
The incident occurred on 6 October 2024.
Where
The incident took place in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
Investigation
  • Fitzgerald was arrested at 1:46am on suspicion of drink-driving.
  • Fitzgerald failed to provide a breath sample when asked.
Charges
  • Fitzgerald was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen at Letterkenny Garda Station.
  • Fitzgerald was charged with driving without insurance at Letterkenny Retail Park.
In court
Fitzgerald appeared before Letterkenny District Court.
Sentence
  • On one charge, Fitzgerald was sentenced to three months in prison and disqualified from driving for five years.
  • On the other charge, Fitzgerald was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for five years.
Other details
  • Fitzgerald failed to produce insurance documentation when ordered to do so.
  • Gardaí cited 59 previous convictions for Fitzgerald, including for no insurance.
  • Fitzgerald was brought to court from prison, where he was on remand for another matter.
  • Recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe incident occurred on 6 October 2024 in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationFitzgerald was arrested at 1:46am on suspicion of drink-driving. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationFitzgerald failed to provide a breath sample when asked. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeFitzgerald was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen at Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeFitzgerald was also charged with driving without insurance at Letterkenny Retail Park. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJohn Fitzgerald appeared before Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceFitzgerald was sentenced to three months in prison and disqualified for five years on one charge. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOn the other charge, Fitzgerald was fined €250 and disqualified for five years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFitzgerald failed to produce insurance documentation when ordered to do so. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFitzgerald has 59 previous convictions, including for no insurance. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFitzgerald was brought to court from prison, where he was on remand for another matter. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherRecognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Oct2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Prison for man with no insurance who refused to give Donegal gardai breath sample

    First report of this case. Adds the court outcome and the 59 previous convictions cited by gardaí.

    convicted, John Fitzgerald, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Fitzgerald