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Driver who tested positive for FIVE types of drugs had 20 year driving ban

The driver stopped in Co Laois was also found to be in possession of drugs

Today at 08:34

A driver in County Laois is due before court after they tested positive for five different types of drugs while out driving.

As part of the Christmas Road Safety Campaign, the Laois Roads Policing Unit were conducting a MIT (Mandatory Intoxicant Testing) checkpoint in Mountrath when they pulled the driver over.

The driver tried to give false details at first but some further enquiries showed the driver had a 20-year driving ban.

The motorist then subsequently tested positive for driving under the influence of five different types of drugs and were found to be in possession of drugs too.

The vehicle was seized by Gardaí and the driver was arrested and charged and is due to appear before Portlaoise District Court.

An Garda Síochána are currently running a Christmas and New Year Road Safety Enforcement Operation until Thursday January 4 2024, which will focus on the dangers of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Gardaí are also on the lookout for drivers not wearing a seatbelt, speeding or using a mobile phone.

In week one of this operation which ran from December 1 to December 7, over 140 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

A further 50 were arrested for not wearing a seatbelt, 200 were arrested for using mobile phones, and nearly 1800 for driving over the speed limit.

The increased Garda presence on the roads and the Christmas and New Year Road Safety Enforcement Operation has an aim to try and reduce the record number of road deaths in Ireland this year.

To date, 173 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads. This is 30 more deaths than this time last year.