Carlow court was told that a man intended “to turn over new leaf” after smoking cannabis while driving
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A 28-YEAR-OLD man who tested positive for drugs while driving was fined and disqualified from driving at Carlow District Court.
Paul Fasakin, with an address at Green Road, Carlow, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court charged with section 3 possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act and section 4(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act, driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
The court heard that on 12 November 2023, Garda Cillian Mohally was conducting a checkpoint on Ballinacarrig Road, Carlow when he observed a car almost causing a collision while driving towards the Eire Óg link road.
When he stopped the car driven by Mr Fasakin, Garda Mohally noted a strong smell of cannabis from the car and saw that Mr Fasakin’s eyes were glazed over.
Garda Mohally then arrested him under section 4(1)(a), driving under the influence of an intoxicant. A roadside drugs test was performed on Mr Fasakin which came back positive for cannabis. There was also a small quantity of cannabis found in the car.
The court heard that Mr Fasakin, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the two charges before the court and was “very co-operative” with the gardaí.
Defence solicitor John O’Sullivan told the court that his client, who is originally from Nigeria but moved to Ireland in 2013 with his parents, currently works in construction and is co-parenting his daughter.
Mr O’Sullivan asked Judge Carthy for a six-month postponement to the disqualification from driving so his client could put his affairs in order.
In relation to Mr Fasakin’s drug-taking, Mr O’Sullivan said: “He has taken steps to cut it out of his life,” and added: “He wants to turn over a new leaf, for want of a better phrase.” For driving under the influence of an intoxicant, Judge Carthy convicted and fined Mr Fasakin €350 with 90 days to pay and disqualified him from driving for one year, with the disqualification postponed until 1 June. On possession charge, she convicted and fined Mr Fasakin €200.
