Ireland Woman fined and banned from driving after cocaine drug-driving case in Laois
On 4 August 2022, a black VW Golf driven by Lauren Kelly, a 23-year-old woman, came towards a garda on the wrong side of the road around a bend at Mountmellick, Co Laois, and the garda had to mount the kerb to avoid it. Kelly was later stopped by gardaí, a roadside test was positive for cocaine, and she was arrested and taken to a garda station, where a blood sample was obtained. She was charged with drug driving and failing to provide information, and her case was heard in her absence. The latest report, published on 25 March 2025, says she was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for four years, with the judge describing the cocaine reading as nine times the legal limit.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A black VW Golf came towards a garda on the wrong side of the road around a bend.
- The garda had to take evasive action and mounted the kerb.
- Where
- The drug driving allegation was at Manor Road, and the failure to provide information allegation was at Acragar, Mountmellick, Co Laois.
- When
- The offences occurred on 4 August 2022, with the garda's encounter at about 12.55am.
- Cause
- A roadside test on the driver was positive for cocaine.
- Investigation
- The garda later stopped the car and carried out a roadside test.
- The woman was arrested and taken to a garda station, where a blood sample was obtained.
- Charges
- Lauren Kelly, 23, of Portlaoise, was accused of drug driving and failing to provide information.
- In court
- The woman was not in court when the case was heard, and her solicitor said she was abroad.
- Sentence
- She was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for a total of four years.
- Other details
- The judge said the cocaine reading was nine times the legal limit.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA car came towards a garda on the wrong side of the road around a bend. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe garda had to take evasive action and mounted the kerb. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe drug driving allegation was at Manor Road and the failure to provide information was at Acragar, Mountmellick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on August 4, 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe roadside test was positive for cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe garda stopped the car later and carried out a roadside test. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe woman was arrested and taken to the garda station, where a blood sample was obtained. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeLauren Kelly was accused of drug driving and failing to provide information. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe woman was not in court when the case was heard. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe woman was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for a total of four years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said the reading was nine times the legal limit. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Mar2025Woman was “off her head on cocaine” behind the wheel in Laois
Court report on the sentencing: she was fined €1,000 and disqualified for four years, with the judge describing the cocaine reading as nine times the legal limit. The woman was not in court and her solicitor said her client was abroad.
convicted, Lauren Kelly, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Lauren Kelly