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. 17068Drug-driving · Co. Laois · 31 May 2024

Motorist arrested at Portlaoise checkpoint after positive cocaine roadside test

On Friday morning, 31 May 2024, the driver of a Volkswagen was stopped at a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint in Portlaoise, County Laois, during the Bank Holiday weekend. The driver tested positive for cocaine in a roadside swab and was arrested by Laois Roads Policing Unit gardaí. The driver's name, age, sex and nationality are not given in the sources. The latest development, according to gardaí, is that court proceedings have now commenced.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested31 May
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The offence is drug-driving, involving a driver of a Volkswagen.
Where
The driver was stopped at a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint in Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The stop took place on Friday morning, 31 May 2024, during the Bank Holiday weekend.
Cause
The driver tested positive for cocaine in a roadside swab.
Weapon
No weapon is mentioned in the sources.
Investigation
  • Laois Roads Policing Unit gardaí ran the checkpoint and arrested the driver as intoxicated.
  • Gardaí stated that the arrested driver tested positive for cocaine.
Charges
The sources do not report any charge against the driver.
In court
Gardaí said court proceedings have now commenced.
Sentence
The sources report no sentence.
Other details
  • The driver's name, age, sex and nationality are not given in the sources.
  • Leinster Express published the first report of the arrest on 31 May 2024.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver was in a Volkswagen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe motorist was stopped at a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe stop took place on the Friday morning of the Bank Holiday weekend. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe driver tested positive for cocaine in a roadside swab. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from the Laois Roads Policing Unit said the driver was arrested as intoxicated and tested positive for cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtGardaí said court proceedings have now commenced. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 May2024
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Motorist tests positive for cocaine at checkpoint in Laois

    First report of this arrest. It adds the roadside cocaine test result and that court proceedings have commenced.

    suspect