A Donegal man has been disqualified for drug-driving after throwing a €1,100 package of cannabis from his car.
Caolan Mulhern was charged in connection with an incident on October 1, 2023 at Oldtown, Letterkenny.
Mulhern, a 32-year-old of Sockar, Trentagh, Churchill, was before Letterkenny District Court on a number of charges relating to the incident.
Garda Inspector Sean McDaid told the court that Gardaí observed a motorist stopped at a junction and on his mobile phone. Garda Elaine Kavanagh pulled up beside the vehicle and noted that the driver, Mulhern, was not wearing a seat belt.
The car drove off into a nearby car park at speed and came to an abrupt stop. When Garda Kavanagh went to speak with the driver, she formed the opinion that he was under the influence of an intoxicant. An oral fluid test returned a positive reading for the presence of cannabis.
Garda Kavanagh observed a package of cannabis that was discarded from the vehicle.
CCTV footage was obtained and showed Mulhern discarded the package from a window as he drove into the car park.
The package was analysed and confirmed to be cannabis with a value of €1,132.
Mulhern was charged with drug-driving; being in possession of a controlled drug, namely cannabis; failing to wear a safety belt; and holding a mobile phone while driving.
Inspector McDaid outlined that Mulhern has a total of 17 previous convictions, for offences including public order matters, the obstruction of a peace officer and possession of drugs.
The court heard that on November 1, 2024 at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Gardaí were on patrol at 3.30am when Mulhern became abusive and was “roaring and shouting for no reason”. After being approached by Gardai, he remained abusive and he was arrested and charged.
Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said his client has “quite a catalogue” of offences.
“These things speak for themselves,” the solicitor said. “This is a product of addiction and the knock-on effect the addiction has on the person’s behaviour. It is self-inflicted harm brought to his own door.”
Mr Dorrian said Mulhern is inevitably facing a disqualification from driving and that his client engaged in “reckless behaviour of an addictive person in a panic”.
He said Mulhern has “abusive behaviour to the world” and has been “in and out of court countless times”.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the pattern of behaviour was “most concerning” to the court, particularly since Mulhern is now the father of a young child. “This certainly is not the type of behaviour conducive to being a responsible parent,” Judge Cunningham said. “This is very much a crossroads for him and it is up to him what path he wishes to embark upon.”
In relation to the drug-driving offence, Mulhern was convicted and fined €200 and was given six months to pay. He was disqualified from driving for one year with the start of the ban deferred until June.
For driving while holding a mobile phone, Mulhern was fined €240 and a similar fine was imposed for failing to wear a safety belt.
On the drugs charges, Judge Cunningham directed the probation of a probation and welfare report, to include an assessment of the accused’s suitability for community service. Judge Cunningham urged Mulhern to engage in addiction services and said that the amount of drugs involved was concerning.
“What concerns the court is that he doesn’t seem to have learned from the process and the court will consider that,” Judge Cunningham said.
Mr Dorrian said his client has “limited means” and legal aid was granted.
Judge Cunningham stressed that Mulhern should have “meaningful engagement with the services” going forward.
The case was adjourned until September 22, 2025.