Lights out for Derry drug-driver as faulty headlight draws Garda attention

A man has been disqualified from driving after being caught drug-driving in Donegal.

A defective headlight drew the attention of gardai to Lee Blake on April 29, 2021.

The case of Blake, a 31-year-old with an address at Crawford Square, Derry and also with an address at Beechwood Park, Convoy, was before Buncrana District Court.

Inspector Johnny Sweeney told the court that gardai were on patrol at Moness, Burt when they observed a vehicle, a black Renault Megane, that was missing a headlight.

Blake was stopped by gardai, who formed the opinion that he was driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

READ NEXT: Derry railway line to close this weekend for planned engineering upgrades

An oral fluid sample tested positive for the presence of cocaine, the court heard. 

Blake was arrested and cautioned. He made no reply. 

A fixed charge penalty notice was also issued to Blake as the tax on the vehicle was out of date from December, 2020. The penalty was not paid.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was told that Blake has previous convictions for driving without insurance and drug driving.

Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Blake, said his client is now in the UK and has “cleaned up his act considerably”. Mr Dorrian said: “He is busying himself with a degree of industry”.

On the charge of driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle while exceeding the drug-driving limit at Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, Blake was fined €200 and given five months to pay. In light of his previous convictions - described as “very relevant” by Judge Cunningham - Blake was handed a two-year driving ban.

Blake was also fined €150 for having no tax.