Judge: Joint smoker in control of car

A motorist who admitted smoking two cannabis joints half an hour before driving denied he was incapable of driving and the judge agreed, dismissing the case against him.

Michael Ryan, aged 20, of Ballyshoneen, Berrings, Co Cork, who described himself as a student and senior rugby player, admitted when he was stopped by gardaí that he had smoked two cannabis joints.

However, at Cork District Court yesterday, he pleaded not guilty to driving a car while being under the influence of an intoxicant, to such an extent that he was incapable of having proper control of the car.