Cork electrician given 12-month driving ban after failing roadside drug test

A Rosscarbery electrician has been banned from driving for a year after a roadside drug test confirmed he was over the legal limit for cannabis.

Oisín O’Duffy, aged 33, of Downeen Cross, Rosscarbery, pleaded guilty at Clonakilty District Court to drug driving and possession of cannabis. 

The court heard gardaí were operating a checkpoint in Rosscarbery on June 5, 2026, when a silver Volkswagen Passat driven by O’Duffy approached at about 8.40pm.

O’Duffy failed a roadside drug test. Gardaí detected a strong smell of cannabis and searched the car. 

He voluntarily handed over a small bag containing cannabis valued at about €12.

O’Duffy was taken to Bandon Garda Station, where a blood sample later confirmed he was over the legal limit in the category carrying a one-year disqualification.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said O’Duffy had no previous convictions, made full admissions, and had been fully co-operative. 

Mr Murphy said his client worked as an electrician for a large company which regularly carried out work abroad, and that a conviction could have implications for him. 

He said O’Duffy had not used cannabis since August 25.

Judge Joanne Carroll noted O’Duffy’s co-operation, admissions, and lack of previous convictions. 

She convicted him of drug driving and imposed the mandatory 12-month disqualification. 

The possession charge was struck out.