Annagry drug-driver nabbed at checkpoint gets driving ban

An Annagry man has been disqualified from driving after he was detected under the influence of drugs when stopped at a Garda checkpoint.

John Gorman was put off the road for a year and issued with a fine at Letterkenny District Court.

A 31-year-old of Mullaghduff, Annagry, Gorman was charged over the incident on November 15, 2023 at Kilconnell Glebe, Kilmacrennan.

Garda Liam O’Riordan told the court that he was performing a checkpoint when he stopped a vehicle being driven by Gorman. The accused man was arrested and a blood sample confirmed the presence of cannabis in his system.

The court heard that Gorman has one previous conviction, a dangerous driving offence for which he was handed a two-year disqualification in 2021.

Ms Jacqui Sharkey, solicitor for Gorman, said her client went through a “difficult phase a number of years ago. Ms Sharkey said that Gorman lost employment having been working in Germany due to his previous disqualification.

“He very much suffered the consequences,” Ms Sharkey said, adding that Gorman was fully cooperative and made admissions immediately.

“He held his hands up and didn’t try to hide,” Ms Sharkey said.

Judge Ciaran Liddy disqualified Gorman from driving for one year and fined him €150, allowing six months to pay.