Wednesday 28 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. 2293Drug driving (cannabis), driving unaccompanied on a learner permit · Co. Kildare · 18 Feb 2025

Motorist with 18-year learner's permit arrested for drug driving in Barberstown, Co Kildare

A motorist who had held a learner's permit for over 18 years was arrested for driving under the influence of cannabis after being stopped at a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint in Barberstown, Co Kildare, on 18 February 2025. The driver was also driving unaccompanied on a learner's permit in a black Audi A4, and the vehicle was seized.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested18 Feb
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver had held a learner's permit for over 18 years (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle was a black Audi A4 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe driver was driving unaccompanied on a learner's permit (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe driver tested positive for cannabis (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe driver was stopped at a MIT checkpoint in Barberstown, Co Kildare (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe driver was taken to Leixlip Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA blood sample was taken and sent for analysis (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe vehicle was seized by gardaí (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe driver is due to appear in court at a later date (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe penalty for drug driving is a maximum of €5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment on summary conviction (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe disqualification period for cannabis is not less than one year for a first offence (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAn unaccompanied learner driver faces a fine of €160 and 2 penalty points (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Feb2025
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Motorist who has held a learners permit for 18 years arrested over drug driving

    Initial arrest report for drug driving and unaccompanied learner driving at a MIT checkpoint in Barberstown; driver is due to appear in court at a later date.

    suspect