Latest news with #DundalkGardaStation
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Passenger pulled from car during hijacking in Louth
An investigation is under way after a passenger was pulled out of a taxi during a hijacking in Co Louth last night. The man, who is a wheelchair user, had been assisted into the taxi by the driver at Roden Place in Dundalk shortly after 10.40pm. Gardaí say that when the driver got into the car, his door opened by a masked man brandishing what the taxi driver believed was a firearm, and who ordered him out of the car. The suspect drove off in the taxi and stopped half a kilometre away. He pulled the passenger out of the car and threw him to the side of the road. The suspect is described as being of average height, with a heavy set build and was wearing a black hat. The passenger was not injured in the incident. Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses, particularly anyone who was in Dundalk town, Roden Place, Francis Street or Jocelyn Street areas between 10pm and 10.50pm and who may have witnessed the incident to contact them They urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of a silver Skoda Superb taxi with a 131-KE registration plate, to come forward. Gardaí are also appealing for those with camera footage, including dash cam footage, from the location at the time to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth motorist fails to overturn drink driving conviction
Declan Leddy, Clonmore, Ardee, was fined €2,500 in the district court and disqualified from driving for three years. The grounds of his appeal to Dundalk Circuit Court was that he had been unlawfully detained following his arrest and prior to giving two samples of breath. It was argued that the 20-minute period of observation before he was tested was superfluous as Gardaí were aware he had nil by mouth as they transported him from the scene of the incident near Ardee to Dundalk Garda Station. However, Judge Dara Hayes rejected that submission. He did allow a postponement of the disqualification until November 21 and reduced the fine to €500 with six months to pay. Gda Nuala Crossan testified that at 8.20pm on December 16, 2023, she and Gda Conor Hegarty were called to the N52 outside Ardee. She was observer in the patrol car and at Ballybailie saw a silver Volkswagen Jetta swerving on the road. It came to a stop before attempting to drive forward. The car came to a stop again. The only occupant was a male in the driver's seat. Gda Crossan said that she got a strong smell of drink from the defendant whose eyes were glazed. He appeared nervous. She formed her opinion and arrested Mr Leddy at 8.35pm. He said to her that he 'had a few pints in town' and was on his way home. She was seated in the rear with him en-route to Dundalk Garda Station. He was compliant and there were no concerns. They arrived at 8.55pm. Gda Hegarty, the driver, gave evidence that he was a trained Evidenzer operator. This is the machine that takes breath samples. ADVERTISEMENT He started a 20-minute period of observation at 9.13pm before the prisoner provided two specimens which gave an over the limit reading of 122mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Gda Hegarty told barrister Ronan O'Carroll that prior to the period of observation he was satisfied that Mr Leddy had nil by mouth as much as he could be as he was driving. He said that the 20-minute period of observation at the station 'is protocol and has to be done'. He agreed it was a guideline by the manufacturers of the Evidenzer. Mr O'Carroll submitted that the 20 minutes of observation were not required, and that the garda took the view that this period must be observed. If there were 20 minutes of nil by mouth prior to this and no need for the observation, then it was an unlawful detention or would have to be objectively justified. State solicitor Fergus Mullen said there was objective justification on the basis of the evidence. He hadn't encountered a situation where anybody other than the Evidenzer garda had carried out the 20-minute period of observation. Judge Hayes said that this period of observation was to ensure that the person has not had alcohol by drinking or regurgitating it to potentially contaminate the test and give a misleading reading. He continued that Gda Hegarty had provided an objective basis for the further period of observation. Mr O'Carroll said that Mr Leddy had no previous convictions, nor had he been in any trouble since. A bus driver taking home €360 per-week bringing disabled youths to and from work, he would lose that employment. Judge Hayes noted that a 'considerable quantity' of alcohol had been taken, though the court had seen higher. There would be a penalty for the appellant and the judge said he hoped Mr Leddy found further employment. An order was made as outlined and legal aid granted.
Sunday World
09-05-2025
- Sunday World
Motorist cleared of alleged drink driving after judge checks audio recording of evidence
Judge Nicola Andrews made her decision after adjourning the original hearing to listen to a Dgital Audio Recording (DAR) of the case. A 21-year-old man accused of drink driving has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a judge ruled that there was no evidence of a time of driving given by the prosecuting Garda. Judge Nicola Andrews made her decision after adjourning the original hearing to listen to a Dgital Audio Recording (DAR) of the case. James Carroll, Rathmount, Seafield Road, Blackrock, Dundalk, contested a charge of drink driving at Millgrange, Greenore, on March 25, 2024. Gda Paul Lynch testified that he was observer in a patrol car on this occasion. At 3am a report was received about a hit and run at Dundalk Road, Carlingford. A Volkswagen Golf was suspected of being involved. Further information was received that a grey Golf was travelling towards Greenore. They came upon this car and drove after it. At 3.14am the driver came to a stop at Millgrange. Gda Lynch continued that he got out of the patrol car. The driver of the other vehicle opened the door. He got a smell of alcohol. This man's speech was slurred and he appeared nervous. The witness said he formed his opinion at 3.16am and arrested Mr Carroll on suspicion of drink driving. He was brought to Dundalk Garda Station, arriving at 3.55am The defendant was treated as a specified driver on the night. All he had on him was a learner permit. He couldn't find his full licence but was adamant he had one. Mr Carroll subsequently produced the driving licence. Gda Shane Murphy gave evidence that Mr Carroll said he was asthmatic but that he did not think it would stop him providing a breath sample. The court heard that he provided an over the limit sample of 92mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Solicitor Conor MacGuill submitted that no time of driving was noted. Judge Andrews said, "I've a question mark about the time of driving in my notes.' The case was put back to May 7 to check the DAR. On the adjourned date, the judge said the time of driving was not on the DAR. The charge was dismissed.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth motorist cleared of alleged drink driving after judge checks audio recording of evidence
Judge Nicola Andrews made her decision after adjourning the original hearing to listen to a Dgital Audio Recording (DAR) of the case. James Carroll, Rathmount, Seafield Road, Blackrock, Dundalk, contested a charge of drink driving at Millgrange, Greenore, on March 25, 2024. Gda Paul Lynch testified that he was observer in a patrol car on this occasion. At 3am a report was received about a hit and run at Dundalk Road, Carlingford. A Volkswagen Golf was suspected of being involved. Further information was received that a grey Golf was travelling towards Greenore. They came upon this car and drove after it. At 3.14am the driver came to a stop at Millgrange. Gda Lynch continued that he got out of the patrol car. The driver of the other vehicle opened the door. He got a smell of alcohol. This man's speech was slurred and he appeared nervous. The witness said he formed his opinion at 3.16am and arrested Mr Carroll on suspicion of drink driving. He was brought to Dundalk Garda Station, arriving at 3.55am The defendant was treated as a specified driver on the night. All he had on him was a learner permit. He couldn't find his full licence but was adamant he had one. Mr Carroll subsequently produced the driving licence. Gda Shane Murphy gave evidence that Mr Carroll said he was asthmatic but that he did not think it would stop him providing a breath sample. The court heard that he provided an over the limit sample of 92mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Solicitor Conor MacGuill submitted that no time of driving was noted. Judge Andrews said, "I've a question mark about the time of driving in my notes.' The case was put back to May 7 to check the DAR. On the adjourned date, the judge said the time of driving was not on the DAR. The charge was dismissed.
