Donegal chef gets driving ban for drug-driving

A chef found drug-driving by Gardai in Letterkenny has been put off the road for a year.

Gardai were on mobile patrol at De Valera Road, Letterkenny at 11.15pm on October 3, 2020 when they stopped an Audi TT.

The driver, Padraig Murphy, appeared nervous and his eyes were glassy, Sergeant Sean McDaid told Letterkenny District Court.

Gardai formed the opinion that Murphy, a 48-year-old of Pound Street, Ramelton, was driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

A subsequent oral fluid test showed that Murphy was driving under the influence of cocaine and cannabis.

Murphy appeared before Letterkenny District Court this week.

Solicitor for Murphy, Mr Seamus Gunn, said his client was a chef, who suffered from diabetes.

“He was at a staff party the night before and he went to do a 12-hour shift at work,” Mr Gunn told the court.”

Mr Gunn said Murphy drove to Letterkenny as he was leaving a colleague home.

“He lives 20 miles from his work and he juggles life between work and looking after his terminally-ill mother, who lives in Ballyshannon” Mr Gunn said.

“He is a highly-motivated man. If he knew that it was in his system at the time, he would not have driven the car. Due to his condition, the toxins in his body could have been delayed and could have stayed in his body longer.”

A testimonial on behalf of Murphy was handed into the court. The document 'speaks volumes about how diligently he goes about things' the solicitor said.

Mr Gunn said the charge was an 'embarrassment' for the accused and appealed to Judge Cunningham not to impose a disqualification.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she appreciated the difficult position that the accused found himself in and the strong plea of mitigation tendered.

“In all of the circumstances, I have no option but to convict.”

Murphy was disqualified from driving for one year with the start of the ban postponed until May 1, 2023.

Murphy was fined €200 and given five months to pay.