Longford drug driver who made erratic uturn disqualified from driving

A defendant with 15 previous convictions was banned from driving for three years and fined a total of €900 for two incidents of drug driving by Judge Bernadette Owens.

Anthony Fitzpatrick (45) of 43 Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon, Longford was before Longford district court facing charges that on December 4, 2023 at Sleieve, Clondra, Longford he drove without insurance and had a quantity of cannabis in his blood system above the legal limit, and also driving under the influence of cannabis on October 17, 2023 at Teffia Park, Longford.
Solicitor for the defendant pointed out that Mr Fitzpatrick failed the oral fluid test at Teffia Park in October, but his blood test indicated it was “not the highest reading ever”.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the defendant came to Garda attention in December after a driver made an erratic U-turn in Clondra. The defendant provided a blood sample and a subsequent test showed he was over the limit for cannabis.
Among Mr Fitzpatrick's 15 previous convictions were possession of drugs; failing to keep court appointments; and driving without insurance.

The defendant's solicitor said their client had smoked cannabis three day before being stopped and still tested positive for the drug.
They explained that Mr Fitzpatrick had addiction issues in the past, but has been off drugs for nine years.

For the first drug driving offence Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €500, with six month to pay and a one year disqualification, and a €400 fine for the second offence with 11 months to pay and a further band of three years.
Recognisance was set in the event of an appeal.