Defective number plate led to drug prosecution

A defective rear number plate led to a 40 year-old motorist from Enfield being prosecuted for drug driving.

Philip Nolan of Newcastlewoods Rise, Enfield was before Trim District Court on Thursday after a Garda’s attention was drawn to the number plate.

Garda Linzi Martin said the defendant was travelling in front of her while she was on routine patrol.

She detected a smell of cannabis from the vehicle when she went to the driver’s window.

The defendant was tested and the result showed he was over the legal limit at Castlerickard, Longwood on 28th July last year.

Barrister James O’Brien said that the defendant occasionally smoked a joint, and had one a couple of days beforehand. The level in his system was consistent with that.

The Garda acknowledged she had seen much higher levels.

The court heard the defendant, a father of four had a previous clear record.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan convicted and fined the defendant €200. She also disqualified him from driving for a year, which she agreed to defer for six months.