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. 13761Driving while using a mobile phone · Co. Laois · 16 Jun 2024

Man who live streamed garda traffic stop in Portlaoise banned from driving

Patrick McDonnell (35), of Forest Park, Portlaoise, was accused of holding a mobile phone while driving a Ford Focus at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise, on 16 June 2024. Garda Roy Cooper pulled him over and issued a ticket for driving while using a mobile phone, and McDonnell began recording the stop and said he was live on Facebook. He had 26 previous convictions and was not present when Portlaoise District Court heard the case. Judge Andrew Cody fined him €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months, as reported on 11 May 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 May
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Patrick McDonnell (35) was accused of holding a mobile phone while driving.
Where
The offence happened at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise.
When
The offence happened on 16 June 2024.
Investigation
  • Garda Roy Cooper, on patrol, said he saw the man holding a mobile phone while driving a 10D registered Ford Focus.
  • Garda Cooper pulled the man over and carried out a roadside intoxicant test.
  • The man immediately began recording the garda on his mobile phone and told him he was live on Facebook.
Other details
  • The man told the garda he had been holding a pack of cigarettes, not a mobile phone.
  • The man asked whether he would be let off if he passed the test and said he would not pay the ticket.
  • The man had 26 previous convictions.
Charges
Garda Cooper issued a ticket for driving while using a mobile phone.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, and the defendant was not present.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offence happened at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence happened on 16 June 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 16 June 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Roy Cooper was on patrol and saw the man holding a mobile phone while driving a 10D registered Ford Focus. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Cooper pulled the man over. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Cooper carried out a roadside intoxicant test on the defendant. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA garda on patrol observed the man holding a mobile phone while driving a Ford Focus and pulled him over. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe garda carried out a roadside intoxicant test on the man. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargePatrick McDonnell was accused of holding a mobile phone while driving. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeGarda Cooper issued a ticket for driving while using a mobile phone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe garda issued a ticket for driving while using a mobile phone. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was not present at Portlaoise District Court for the proceedings. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody fined the man €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fined the man €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man immediately began recording the interaction on his mobile phone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man told the garda he had been holding a pack of cigarettes, not a mobile phone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man told the garda they were live on Facebook. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant asked whether he would be let off if he passed the test. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant told the garda he would not be paying the ticket. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 26 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man began recording the garda on his mobile phone during the stop. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man told the garda that they were live on Facebook. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man said he would not pay the ticket. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 26 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 May2025
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man who live streamed garda traffic stop in the Midlands banned from driving

    Reports that the driver live streamed the garda stop on Facebook, failed to pay the ticket, had 26 previous convictions, and was sentenced in his absence.

    convicted, Patrick McDonnell, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonnell
  2. 9 May2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man who live streamed Laois garda traffic stop banned from driving

    Adds the garda evidence of Garda Roy Cooper, the defendant's claim he was holding cigarettes, his live streaming on Facebook, his refusal to pay the ticket, his 26 previous convictions, and the judge, Andrew Cody. Published 11 May 2025 in the Leinster Express.

    convicted, Patrick McDonnell, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonnell