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. 13668Drug driving · Co. Donegal · 26 Dec 2022

Woman fined and disqualified for drug driving in Buncrana

Sarah Louise Gallagher, a 29-year-old woman, was charged with drug driving after a garda smelled cannabis through the vent of her car on 26 December 2022. She had been travelling on the Ludden Road towards Buncrana, Co Donegal, and was charged at Letterkenny District Court. The defence sought a direction of not guilty on a point of law, but the judge found the facts proven. The court fined her €200 and disqualified her from driving for one year, as reported on 21 May 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Sarah Louise Gallagher, a 29-year-old woman, was charged with drug driving.
Where
  • She was travelling on the Ludden Road towards Buncrana, Co Donegal.
  • Sources differ on where gardaí stopped her: the key facts say Railway Road in Fahan, while the court report says the charge arose at Railway Road, Buncrana.
When
The offence was alleged to have happened on 26 December 2022, just after 4pm.
Cause
A garda in an unmarked patrol car travelling in the opposite direction smelled cannabis through the vent of her car as it passed.
Investigation
An oral fluid test was positive for cannabis, and a later blood test was also positive for cannabis.
Charges
She was charged with drug driving and appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
In court
The defence sought a direction of not guilty on a point of law, and the judge found the facts proven.
Sentence
She was fined €200 and disqualified from driving for one year, as reported on 21 May 2025.
Other details
Her solicitor said she was a community care worker who occasionally smoked cannabis to cope with stress from her job.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe driver was travelling on the Ludden Road towards Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereGardaí pulled the woman in at Railway Road in Fahan. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence was alleged to have happened on 26 December 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeA garda in an unmarked patrol car in the opposite direction smelled cannabis through the vent of the car as it passed. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAn oral fluid test was positive for cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA later blood test was also positive for cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defence sought a direction of not guilty on a point of law, and the judge found the facts proven. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceShe was fined €200 and disqualified from driving for one year. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 May2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Drug-driver sniffed out by Buncrana gardai through car vent

    Court report of the hearing and sentence. Gives the detection details, the defence challenge over the garda's evidence, and the fine and disqualification.

    convicted, Sarah Louise Gallagher, 29, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sarah Louise Gallagher