Man disqualified from driving due to cannabis intoxication and possession detection in Mayo

A MAN detected driving under the influence of cannabis and in possession of cannabis at a Mayo garda checkpoint has been disqualified from driving for a year at Castlebar District Court.

Ethan Coen, Quarter, Dunmore, Tuam, Co. Galway, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy in connection with offences arising from an incident on the Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris, on January 28, 2025.

Garda Tomás Corcoran told the court he was on checkpoint duty at approximately 9 p.m. when he stopped a Volkswagen Jetta driven by the defendant.

When speaking with Coen, the garda detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.

When questioned, Coen admitted he was in possession of cannabis and voluntarily handed over a quantity of the drug which he had concealed in his socks. The cannabis had an estimated value of €30.

A roadside drug test was carried out under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, which returned a positive result for cannabis.

Coen was arrested and conveyed to the garda station, where Garda Hugh McHugh conducted further procedures.

A designated nurse subsequently took a blood sample, which also tested positive for cannabis.

Garda Corcoran confirmed the defendant had previous convictions dating back to 2017, including offences for no insurance and driving without a licence.

Solicitor Evan O’Dwyer, representing the defendant, said there were no aggravating factors and that his client had been detected at a routine scheduled checkpoint outside Ballyhaunis.

He said Coen was acutely aware of the potential consequences and the likelihood of a driving ban.

Mr. O’Dwyer told the court his client had recently secured employment at a factory in Tuam and was being given a lift to work.

He said the cannabis use was recreational, that the substance had been used earlier in the day amongst friends, and that the amount seized was indicative of personal use only. There were no underlying addiction issues and no application was being made for a postponement.

Judge Murphy said there was an underlying issue with drug use which needed to be addressed.

She told the defendant that cannabis use was “not going to improve your life in any way” and said he was supporting “a most unpleasant industry”.

In relation to the drug-driving offence, Judge Murphy convicted Coen, fined him €350 and imposed a one-year driving disqualification.

On the possession charge, she convicted and fined him €150.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.