Disqualified driver caught with cannabis in car while on suspended sentence

A Cork motorist who was caught driving while disqualified also admitted to possession of cannabis arising from the same incident, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that 23-year-old Dylan McAuliffe, with an address at Eagle View, Banteer, Co Cork, was stopped while driving a blue Toyota Corolla in Clonakilty on August 3, 2024.

When McAuliffe was stopped, he did not have valid insurance or a licence as he had previously been disqualified from driving. While speaking to McAuliffe, gardaí noticed a strong smell of cannabis in the car so the vehicle was searched and an amount of cannabis valued at €260 was recovered.

McAuliffe admitted the drugs were his and for his own personal use. The vehicle was seized and McAuliffe was subsequently charged with possession of illegal drugs contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, as well as driving without insurance or a licence.

The court was told that on June 4, 2024, McAuliffe had been disqualified from driving for six years and had also been given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court heard he had 12 previous convictions, including four for driving without insurance.

Conrad Murphy, defending, said McAuliffe was “quite open about the difficulties he has had”, and had been “in and out of court” between the ages of 18 and 21. He said “cannabis was the main issue” for McAuliffe, who had gone “cold turkey” and had not used the drug for a year.

Mr Murphy said his client had moved to Liscarroll where he was in employment and lived within walking distance of his place of work. He said McAuliffe “had turned a corner” and made full admissions when he was arrested.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she would require evidence that McAuliffe was drug-free and asked for a probation report to be prepared as well as a reference letter from his employer. 

She also instructed McAuliffe to take two random drug tests and remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on April 21.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.