Courts / Kilkenny / Report

Laois man injured gardai while trying to flee drugs bust

Date
2018-01-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Castlecomer

Summary

Patrick McDonnell, 28, of New Line Close, Mountrath, was sentenced to five years in prison after a series of drug‑related offences and dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine for sale or supply, dangerous driving and reckless endangerment at Castlecomer on 27 January 2017, and to possession of cannabis and cocaine at Ballyroan on 16 January 2016. During a drug bust near the Kilkenny/Laois border, gardaí found 300 g of cocaine in a tupperware container. McDonnell fled, driving his car at speeds up to 100 km/h, crashing into a garda vehicle and injuring two officers. He also crashed into a car exiting a driveway. The court noted his history of drug offences and his statement to a garda that he had "not done anything". Judge Martin Nolan imposed the five‑year sentence, citing the reckless conduct and the injuries caused to the officers.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Laois man injured gardai while trying to flee drugs bust. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of cocaine for sale or supply, dangerous driving and reckless endangerment at Castlecomer on January 27, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 27, 2017 Incident
January 16, 2016 Incident
2018-01-17 Publication

Case subjects

Patrick McDonnell

Defendant

Charges: unlawful possession of cocaine for sale or supply, dangerous driving and reckless endangerment at Castlecomer on January 27, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He imposed a sentence of five years.