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. 16567Drug driving · Co. Kildare · 23 Feb 2023

Portarlington man convicted of drug driving at Naas District Court

Dara Ward, a 21-year-old man with an address listed in Portarlington, was stopped by gardaí at Ballymany, Newbridge, County Kildare, at around 11.15pm on 23 February 2023. Gardaí said a roadside oral fluid test indicated cannabis and they formed the opinion he was intoxicated, and he was charged with a drug-driving offence. He contested the charge, and on Thursday 11 July 2024 the judge in Naas District Court found he was not unlawfully detained and convicted him. The latest development is the sentence: an 18-month driving disqualification, a €1,000 fine payable within six months, and recognisances fixed at €300, as reported on 19 July 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Dara Ward, a 21-year-old man, was charged with a drug-driving offence.
Where
Gardaí stopped the drivers at Ballymany, Newbridge, County Kildare.
When
The incident happened on 23 February 2023 at around 11.15pm.
Investigation
  • Mr Ward was found to be an unaccompanied learner driver with no L-plates and had no licence on him.
  • The garda formed the opinion that Mr Ward was intoxicated.
Cause
A roadside oral fluid test indicated the presence of cannabis.
Other details
Gardaí said Mr Ward had no previous convictions at the time of the offence.
Charges
Mr Ward contested the drug-driving charge against him.
In court
  • The case was heard in Naas District Court on Thursday, 11 July 2024.
  • The judge found that Mr Ward was not unlawfully detained and had acted of his own free will.
  • Mr Ward was convicted of the drug-driving offence by Judge Nicola-Jane Andrews.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed an 18-month driving disqualification.
  • The judge imposed a €1,000 fine, payable within six months, and fixed recognisances at €300.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereGardaí stopped the drivers at Ballymany, Newbridge. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on 23 February 2023 at around 11.15pm. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationMr Ward was found to be an unaccompanied learner driver with no L-plates and had no licence on him. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationA roadside oral fluid test indicated the presence of cannabis and the garda formed the opinion that Mr Ward was intoxicated. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeMr Ward was charged with a drug-driving offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was heard in Naas District Court on Thursday, 11 July. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge found that Mr Ward was not unlawfully detained and had acted of his own free will. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed an 18-month driving disqualification and a €1,000 fine, payable within six months. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge fixed recognisances for Mr Ward at €300. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí said Mr Ward had no previous convictions at the time of the offence. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jul2024
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Contested case concerning Newbridge drug-driving incident heard in Kildare court

    Reports a contested hearing in Naas District Court on 11 July 2024, where the court found no unlawful detention, and the sentence: 18-month driving disqualification, €1,000 fine, six months to pay, and recognisances fixed at €300.

    convicted, Dara Ward, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dara Ward