A BALLINEEN motorist caught drug driving twice was put off the road.

Joe Gascoigne (37) of Ahilnane, Ballineen, pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court to two charges of driving under the influence of cocaine.

Sgt Eimear O’Connell said on September 29th 2024 gardaí were operating a checkpoint at Gully, Bandon when the accused approached it. A sample of oral fluid tested positive for cocaine.

Sgt O’Connell said the second offence occurred on October 14th 2024 when the accused approached another checkpoint at Coolfada in Bandon.

‘Gardaí saw his car approaching the checkpoint but it then turned left into a driveway without indicating. They took an oral fluid sample which tested for cocaine and he was arrested and taken to Bandon Garda Station.’

The court heard that he has 21 previous convictions for road traffic offences, assault and theft.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said his client was suffering a psychosis at the time and had been homeless but is now back with his family and off drugs.

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted him on the September offence and disqualified him from driving for one year. She admitted him to a probation bond for 12 months and said he must attend for drug addiction treatment.

She adjourned the second charge until January 21st 2026 for confirmation on that date that he is attending Coolmine, warning: ‘Otherwise, this offence could lead to a prison sentence.’