An uninsured driver who was caught with cocaine concealed in his clothing gave gardai a false name after he was pulled over by a patrol car, a court has heard.
Aidan Grogan (28), of Garrynisk Close, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to possession of cocaine, having no insurance, no licence and giving a false name arising out of the incident on 30 December, 2022.
The court heard that Grogan was stopped by gardaí on Katharine Tynan Road at about 11.40pm that night after his car was seen driving erratically.
After gardaí stopped the vehicle, they discovered that Grogan was driving without insurance or a licence and that he had given false details, the court heard.
Garda Shane Greene told the court that Grogan failed a roadside drug test for cocaine and was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station. However, a second drug test at the station later came back negative, so no drug-driving charge was brought.
While he was in custody, gardaí searched Grogan and found €350 worth of cocaine concealed in his clothing.
Grogan’s solicitor, Padraig O’Donovan, said his client is on social welfare and has two children. He said Grogan had struggled with cocaine addiction but completed treatment in Cuile Mhuire and was “determined to get his life in order”.
Judge Áine Shannon imposed a four-year driving ban and a €300 fine for the no-insurance offence, giving Grogan three months to pay. The other offences – driving without a licence and giving false details – were taken into consideration.
Judge Shannon said Mr Grogan appeared to be in transition out of serious addiction issues and that he could benefit from ongoing rehabilitation and probation support.
In light of the mitigation and his engagement with treatment, Judge Shannon ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 13 February 2026 for finalisation.
“Best of luck”, she told him.