Cork man banned from driving for a year after gardaí find cannabis valued at €25 in car

Blood test confirmed the presence of cocaine as man, 20, told just he no longer uses cocaine but 'I still smoke weed'

The defendant tested positive in an oral fluid test and was taken to Macroom Garda Station, where a blood sample later confirmed the presence of cocaine. File picture: iStock

A 20-year-old Cork man has been banned from driving for a year after a blood test confirmed the presence of cocaine. 

Damien Desmond, of The Forge, Aherla, was convicted of drug-driving at Macroom District Court.

The court heard gardaí stopped Desmond while he was driving a Ford Fiesta through a checkpoint at Aherla on October 10, 2024. A strong smell of cannabis came from the car and gardaí searched it, finding cannabis valued at €25.

Desmond tested positive in an oral fluid test and was taken to Macroom Garda Station, where a blood sample later confirmed the presence of cocaine. 

The result carries a mandatory 12-month driving disqualification. The court heard Desmond had no previous convictions.

Sean Cahill, defending, said Desmond was 18 at the time of the offence and had made the wrong call. He provided an “impeccable” reference from his employer and said a conviction could cost his client his job. 

Mr Cahill said Desmond no longer used cocaine.

Desmond told Judge Joanne Carroll: “I still smoke weed,” but said he did not take cocaine. 

Judge Carroll said many young people seemed to believe smoking cannabis did not count, but it did. 

She said it was hazardous for people who drove. She convicted Desmond of drug-driving and disqualified him from driving for one year.

On the cannabis possession charge, Judge Carroll placed him on a 12-month probation bond without conviction. He must co-operate with the Probation Service, attend all appointments and engage with drug treatment services.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme