Longford Motorist receives nine months in jail following drug driving incident

A Longford resident, who was detected drug driving four times in a period of just over two years, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and disqualified from driving for 10 years.

Vytautas Siaulys (49) of 51 Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the road traffic offences.
Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardaí were conducting a speed checkpoint at Tullygullin, county Cavan at 12-noon when they detected the defendant driving at 130kph in a 100kph zone.

Officers pursued the motorist and Garda Edward Flanagan stopped the vehicle at Ballinrud East, Granard and spoke to the driver, Mr Siaulys and Sgt Mahon outlined they believed the driver had taken an intoxicant.

An oral fluid swab tested positive for cannabis.

A subsequent blood test at Granard Garda station indicated Mr Siaulys exceeded the legal limit for cannabis in his system to drive.

Sgt Mahon said separately on January 23, 2023 the defendant was observed driving a BMW 5 Series and he was stopped by Gardaí because they were unable 'to see the number plate on the car'.

Mr Siaulys produced a Lituanian driving licence which was examined and found to be false.

Sgt Mahon said Gardaí had a conversation with the defendant and formed the opinion the defendant had consumed drugs.

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The defendant was conveyed to the garda station where a blood test confirmed he had exceeded the legal limit for cannabis in his system.

Mr Siaulys had no insurance and he failed to produce any policy.

Sgt Mahon said on another date, September 25, 2023, Gardaí were on patrol on Barrack St, Granard at 7.45pm and officers detected him driving and stopped him.

"He was found to have cocaine in his bloodstream on this occasion," he added.

The court heard Garda Reilly asked Mr Siaulys to produce his driving licence and his insurance at a garda station within 10 days, but he failed to do so.

Sgt Mahon outlined that the defendant was also charged with the theft of a box of condoms from SuperValu on September 21, 2024 when the defendant entered SuperValu at 2.20pm.

"He placed a packet of condoms valued at €18.99 into his jacket pocket and he left without paying. I don't believe they were recovered," he added.

Mr Mahon said on the same date Mr Siaulys arrived at Longford Garda Station and his property was checked and the Lithuanian licence he had was found to be a false licence.

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"He was also found to be in possession of counterfeit notes," he added.

The court heard earlier this year Garda Flanagan, who was on mobile patrol, observed Mr Siaulys driving on the Athlone Road, Longford on January 21, 2025 at 11.45am.

"He was known to Garda Flanagan who stopped him and he had no driving licence and he had no insurance on the vehicle," he added.

The court heard that Mr Siaulys was observed driving at speed at Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown on June 18, last at 9.30pm and he was stopped.

"Gardaí were satisfied he was drug driving and he was taken to the garda station and he was found to have cocaine in his system and he was prosecuted for same and he had no insurance or driving licence."

The court heard Mr Siaulys had two previous convictions and a number of foreign convictions.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said her client had used the Lithuanian licence for six or seven years with the same company and he had previously been insured on it and 'believed' it was genuine.

"He has accepted he should have taken greater care," she added.

In relation to the theft of the condoms, Ms Mimnagh said a "lady who was with him thought it was very funny" to put the packet in his pocket and he had not realised they were there until a security guard stopped him.

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The legal representative claimed in regard to the pair of false €200 notes they had in fact been money from a monopoly or casino game.

"He did not offer them for sale and the word 'copy' was written on both notes," she added.

Judge Bernadette Owens said she had to "mark the seriousness" of four drug driving convictions and she imposed the custodial sentence and the driving ban.

Mr Siaulys was also given a further five month prison sentence, which was suspended for an 18-month period and fined €1,000.

Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.