Man driving tractor under the influence of cannabis gets fine and ban

A young Ballyshannon man who was caught driving a tractor while under the influence of cannabis has been fined €250 and banned from driving for a year.

Philip Cassidy (19) of Clontyseer, Ballyshannon pleaded guilty to a charge of drug driving at Carrickboy, Ballyshannon on February 13 last year. 

A charge of driving a tractor while under the influence of cocaine was withdrawn. 

Inspector Seamus McGonigle told Ballyshannon District Court that the defendant was stopped by gardai and there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the defendant. 

The defendant was arrested and charged with drug driving, and he gave a positive test for cannabis. 

He was driving the tractor on the main road, the court heard.  

Defence Solicitor John Murray said the defendant was an apprentice plumber and had no previous convictions. 

Judge Sandra Murphy said the defendant was in charge of a big piece of machinery. 

Mr Murray said the defendant was coming into town to collect items for the farm and was on his way back when he was stopped. 

He had every intention to stop taking drugs and was going back to college to finish off a course. 

Judge Murphy said the defendant was in charge of big machinery on the road and that was very serious and “it can be catastrophic”.