Judge concludes a number of drug driving cases at Longford District Court

Longford District Court concluded a number of drug driving cases that had been held up pending the outcome of the Supreme Court's review of the High Court's O'Flaherty decision.

The Supreme Court was reviewing the O'Flaherty High Court decision that Gardaí had no implied power to detain a driver pending the result of a roadside saliva drug test, and determined that drivers were required to wait at checkpoints pending the outcome of a roadside drug test.

There was a backlog of drug driving cases in the courts as defendants awaited the Supreme Court decision. Judge Bernadette Owens concluded a number of cases last week.
Marian Aparaschivei (37) of 45 Shannon Park, Edgeworthstown Longford was stopped at Main Street, Edgeworthstown at 8:20pm on February 29, 2024. Officers noted a smell of cannabis in the car and a blood test indicated the driver was above the legal limit for cannabis.

The defendant was fined €500 with four months to pay and disqualified from driving for one year.
Stephanie Kelly (30) of 39 Templemichael Tce, Longford was stopped on Dublin St, Longford on September 3, 2023. A blood test proved positive for cocaine. The single mother of two had no previous convictions, her solicitor said she had taken the cocaine two days before she was stopped and the drug was still in her system. The defendant received a fine of €500 and was banned from driving for a year.

Terry O'Hanlon (41) of Bawn, Moydow, Longford was stopped at Cooleeny, Longford on September 22, 2023. A blood test indicated that the driver exceeded the legal limit of cocaine. Mr O'Hanlon had no previous convictions and was fined €500 with six mounts to pay and banned from the road for a year.
Felix Bispo (23) of Schoollands, Ballinalee, Longford pleaded guilty to driving with a quantity of cannabis in his system above the legal limit on February 22, 2024 at Knockahaw, Longford. Mr Bispo attempted to turn away from a Gard checkpoint and when officers stopped him there was a strong smell of cannabis in the car.
The defendant had a previous conviction for no NCT. Judge Owens imposed a fine of €500 and disqualified Mr Bispo from driving for a year.

Defendant Sean Downey (26) of Gibbonstown, Rochfortbridge, Westmeath was also prosecuted from having a quantity of cannabis above the legal limit in his system while driving. The offence, which took place on April 20, 2022, was at Main St, Longford. Mr Downey received a €500 fine and a one year ban.

Ryan Daly (33) of Abbeylara, Longford was also convicted of driving with a quantity of cannabis in his system on February 14, 2023 at Ballinacross, Granard, Longford. Mr Daly received a fine of €500 and was banned from driving for one year.

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