Driver found with cocaine in system arrested in Longford and banned from driving for a year

The defendant, who admitted driving with cocaine in the system when stopped by gardaí, was fined €450 and banned from driving for a year.

Martin Ward (28), 69 Cullairbaun, Athenry, Galway, was stopped by Gardaí in Market Square, Longford, at 5.30pm on 13 February 2023.

Mr Ward failed a roadside oral fluid test for cocaine and a subsequent blood test showed he had more than the legal limit of cocaine in his system.

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The defendant’s lawyer, Fiona Baxter, said her client did not want to delay the case and had filed a criminal complaint to “put the matter to rest”.

Mr Ward’s case could have been adjourned pending the outcome of a review of the O’Flaherty Supreme Court decision, which confirmed Gardaí had no implied authority to detain a driver pending the result of a roadside saliva drug test.

Ms Baxter described her client as a hard-working father who had one child and another on the way. He said Mr Ward wanted to put the matter behind him and “move on”.

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Judge Owens convicted and sentenced him to a fine of €450, to be paid within five months. The defendant was also banned from holding a driving license for one year.