Motorist was 14 times over cannabis drug-driving limit, Portlaoise court hears  - Courts - Laois Nationalist

The defendant has 21 previous convictions that included assault, drugs, driving, criminal damage, trespass and public order offences.

A MAN stopped by gardaí while driving was found to be 14 times over the cannabis drug-driving limit and ten times over the cocaine drug-driving limit.

Portlaoise District Court heard that the defendant, who pleaded guilty to the charge of drug driving, has 21 previous convictions that included assault, drugs, driving, criminal damage, trespass and public order offences.

The court was told that when gardaí tested Jason Murphy (37), Tyrrellstown, Athy, Co Kildare, he returned a reading that showed that he had been 14 times over the permissible cannabis driving limit and ten times over the permissible cocaine driving limit on 6 December last year at Carrig Glas, Stradbally.

The defending solicitor said that her client’s previous convictions are of some vintage and he was now clear of drugs. She said Mr Murphy was not proud of himself and the incident had an impact on him.

Judge Andrew Cody convicted Mr Murphy of drug-driving, fined him €300 and disqualified him from driving for one year.