Three men who were detected driving while under the influence of drugs have been convicted and penalised at Trim District Court. Stephen Traynor (36), St Mary’s Park, Navan did not appear in court to answer a charge of alleged drug driving at Piercetown, Dunboyne on 5 th April 2021. The court was told that defendant had been ‘detected speeding at 155kph in a 120 zone and had been followed by Sergeant O’Brien. When defendant was required to undergo a drug test, the result showed “fail” and he was arrested and taken to Ashbourne Garda Station. A doctor had been called and a mandatory blood test carried out which later showed that defendant had cannabis in his system. Defending solicitor Maurice Regan was told that the defendant had been co-operative at all times. Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a €300 fine and a one-year disqualification.
Separately, Darragh O’Connell (32), Churchlands, Slane was charged with drug driving on 16 th February 2021. Garda Martin told the court that she had seen defendant throwing a cigarette out of his car window at Moatlands, Navan. He was also outside the 5km limit in breach of Covid regulations in force at the time. When she stopped him he said that he was in Navan for his girlfriend’s hospital appointment. He was shaking and said he was on medication for a medical condition. He was tested for drugs which showed that he had cannabis in his system. Asked by defending barrister Paul Noctor if there was anything wrong with his client’s driving, the Garda replied that she had seen the cigarette being thrown out of the window and that the driver was outside the Covid limit. She said that defendant had been co-operative. Mr Noctor said that his client had engaged with the McVerry organisation and was “clean” for the past seven months. He no longer took drugs or alcohol, he said.
Separately, a third defendant -Jordan Bennett (27), Philpottstown, Garlow Cross, Navan – was charged with drug driving at Dowds town on 31 st December 2021. He did not appear in court. The court was told that defendant, who did not appear in court, had been stopped at a Garda checkpoint, had provided a saliva sample which found that he had cannabis in his system. He was fined €300 and disqualified from driving for a year.
