Crime « Thurles Information

Motorist Arrested For Drug Driving In Tipperary With New Garda DrugWipe Test.

Tipperary Roads Policing Unit while conducting a speed checkpoint, along the M8 (Motorway) over the past number of days, detected a vehicle speeding.

The driver subsequently failed the new roadside “DrugWipe 6 S test, which indicted the presence of cannabis.

A passenger in the vehicle also was found to be in possession of cannabis.
The cannabis was confiscated and the driver was arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving.

Further investigations are ongoing.

Drug Driver Caught As Tipperary Gardaí Test Drug Wipe Apparatus.

The Tipperary Roads Policing Unit, carrying out patrols this evening, intercepted a vehicle for having a number of defects.
The driver later was arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving, after failing a drug test for Cocaine, using the new Garda DrugWipe apparatus.

Gardaí are deploying a new drug testing device for drivers as and from today, to coincide with the start of their Christmas and New Year Road Safety campaign.

This new apparatus will test for a wider range of drugs and will be used by every roads policing unit in our Republic, thus forming a central part of the garda campaign over the next six weeks.

The new test, as stated in the video shown above, can deliver, for the first time, results in around eight minutes and can test for cannabis, cocaine, benzodiazepines and opiates, as well as amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Tipperary Roads Policing Unit stopped a vehicle after it turned away from a checkpoint here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
It was found that the vehicle’s driver had never held a licence or insurance.
The vehicle was immediately seized, with a court appearance expected to follow.

Thurles Man Stands Accused Of Fracturing Cheek Bone Of Cork Taxi Driver.

A resident of Thurles, Co. Tipperary, named as Mr Mark Beresford with an address at No. 41 Gortataggart, Thurles, Co Tipperary, who stands accused of fracturing the cheek of 52-year-old Cork taxi driver, latter named as Mr Willy Lufuluabo, has had his case adjourned in order to prepare the book of evidence.

The incident is understood to have occurred at Curraheen Road, Bishopstown, Co. Cork, over one year ago, on May 1st, 2021. You can read the background to this story HERE.

In order to prepare the book of evidence, Mr Justice Olann Kelleher (Cork City) has now put the case back for hearing until February 13th, 2023.

Initially, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had stated that this case could be dealt with summarily at Cork District Court. However, Mr Justice Colm Roberts refused jurisdiction for summary disposal, having read the medical report on the taxi driver’s injuries, and refused to accept jurisdiction; stating the case was too serious and was a matter for trial by ‘Judge and Jury’ at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

€8,000 In Drugs & Cash Seized In South Tipperary.

On Monday afternoon last (November 28th, 2022) at approximately 3.30pm; armed with a search warrant members the District Drugs Unit at Clonmel Garda Station carried out a search in the Moyglass area of Fethard, in South Co. Tipperary.

During the course of that search and pending analysis, drugs including Cannabis Herb, Cannabis jellies, Cannabis Resin and Magic Mushrooms, all with an estimated street value of some €5,500 were seized together with over €2,500 in cash.

A male was arrested and detained at Clonmel Garda Station, held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, before later being released pending submission of a file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).

The search was conducted as part of Operation Tara, the goal of which is to protect communities from the scourge of illegal drugs in line with An Garda Siochana’s mission of Keeping People Safe.

Tipperary Criminals Receive Prison Sentences For Cork Burglary.

Yesterday November 21st 2022, two Tipperary male residents, arrested wearing snood scarves, gloves and baseball caps and who violently resisted arrest when they were interrupted by a Garda Emergency Response Unit, in January, have both received jail terms of three years and three-and-a-half years respectively.

Judge Ms Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of four years, with the final year suspended, on Mr Patrick Harty of Mountain View, Bansha Road, Tipperary, in the case heard initially before Cork Circuit Criminal Court, back in October last.

A sentence of four years with the last six months suspended, was imposed against Mr Larry O’Connor of “An Duiche”, Scahelene, Tipperary town.
In Mr O’Connor’s case his sentence will run consecutive to a 12-year sentence already being served for aggravated burglary at Newcastle, Co Limerick.

Details on the background to the case can be found HERE.