Carpenter receives 12‑month driving ban after cannabis test failure

A carpenter from Ballingeary has been disqualified from driving for twelve months after testing positive for cannabis following a Garda stop.

Mark Cronin, 44, of Carrignadoura, Ballingeary, pleaded guilty at Macroom District Court to the offence. Gardaí had stopped his Audi A6 after an automatic number‑plate recognition (ANPR) system flagged the vehicle for travelling at between 100km/h and 110km/h on an 80km/h stretch of road at Lissacresig, Macroom, on 28 May 2024.

During the stop, Cronin failed a roadside drug test for cannabis. A subsequent blood sample taken at Macroom Garda Station recorded a reading of 16.8 ng. The court was told Cronin has five prior convictions, including driving without insurance, theft and a drink‑driving offence.

Defence solicitor Jack Purcell noted an error on the address listed on the drug‑test certificate, which Judge Joanne Carroll confirmed was a simple spelling mistake and that the sample clearly related to Cronin. The judge imposed a 12‑month driving disqualification but, considering his circumstances – caring for two elderly parents and managing the family farm – ordered no additional penalty.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: PROSPER MBEMBA KOUTIHOU / Pexels.