Drug driving while travelling with friends who were ‘involved in substances’

A young man caught drug driving while visiting Donegal with friends has been fined €400 and disqualified from driving.

Daniel Brouder, 21, of Ballinduff, Ardrahan, Galway was in Ballyshannon District Court on Friday.

Inspector Cora Earley told the court that Garda Corcoran stopped the gold Skoda Superb at a checkpoint. Brouder was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, and a subsequent blood test confirmed the presence of cocaine. 

Solicitor Gerry McGovern said he had a medical cert that showed his client was now testing negative for drugs. 

“This young man is from County Galway,” said the solicitor “He had travelled down here to Donegal with a group of friends and unfortunately the young men were involved in substances.”

He said his Brouder was working as an apprentice joiner. 

“I think he has taken a step forward in life and hopefully there will be no drugs in his life,” said Mr McGovern.

Judge Adrian Harris said that disqualification was mandatory.

He imposed a fine of €400 and disqualified him from holding a licence for one year. 

Judge Harris told the defendant: “I hope you have learned your lesson and there will be no repeat of it. And if it is repeated, the court will take a very dim view of it.”