Ireland Motorist disqualified for drug driving after drugs grinder found in car in Longford
On 11 April 2023, gardaí stopped a car on the Dublin Road in Glack, County Longford, during a speed check, smelled cannabis and searched the vehicle. They found a drugs grinder and cannabis valued at €50 under the driver's seat. The driver, Abel Phillips (23), of Portlaoise, County Laois, tested positive for cannabis and cocaine in a saliva test and for cannabis alone in a later blood test. He pleaded guilty to possessing the grinder in his vehicle, and in March 2025 he was disqualified from driving for one year and fined €500, payable within nine months.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found a drugs grinder and cannabis valued at €50 under the driver's seat.
- Where
- The car was stopped on the Dublin Road, Glack, County Longford.
- When
- The offence occurred on 11 April 2023.
- Cause
- Gardaí were carrying out a speed check when they stopped the car.
- Investigation
- Officers smelled cannabis in the car, which had several occupants, and searched the vehicle.
- A saliva test was positive for cannabis and cocaine, and a later blood test was positive for cannabis alone.
- Charges
- Abel Phillips pleaded guilty to possessing the grinder in his vehicle.
- In court
- Phillips admitted the grinder was his but denied owning the drugs.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a one-year driving ban and a €500 fine with nine months to pay.
- Other details
- Phillips had one previous conviction.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found a grinder and cannabis valued at €50 under the driver's seat. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe grinder was found in a car on the Dublin Road, Glack, County Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offence occurred on 11 April 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí were carrying out a speed check when they stopped the car. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationOfficers smelled cannabis and searched the vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA saliva test was positive for cannabis and cocaine, and a later blood test was positive for cannabis alone. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to possessing the grinder in his vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtPhillips admitted the grinder was his but denied owning the drugs. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a one-year driving ban and a €500 fine with nine months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherPhillips had one previous conviction. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Mar2025Motorist who tested positive for drug driving in Longford had drugs grinder in his car
Court report on the sentencing of Abel Phillips for drug driving and possession of a grinder in Longford. This is a different incident from the existing Portlaoise deportation-order case (10768), which concerns events at Midlands Prison in February 2026.
convicted, Abel Phillips, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Abel Phillips