Motorist who live-streamed garda traffic stop banned from driving following conviction

A driving ban was handed down to a man who began live-streaming on social media when he was stopped by a garda. 

Patrick McDonnell, aged 35, of The Maples, Forest Park, Portlaoise, County Laois was before the local district court accused of holding a mobile phone while driving at Colliers Lane, Portlaoise on June 16, 2024. 

Garda Roy Cooper said he was on patrol when he observed the man holding a mobile phone while driving a 10D registered Ford Focus car. Garda Cooper pulled the man over. 

“He immediately began recording the interaction with me on the mobile phone,” said Garda Cooper. He told the court the man told him he had been holding a pack of cigarettes, not a mobile phone.

“He also informed  me that we were live on Facebook,” he said. 

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Garda Cooper carried out a roadside intoxicant test on the defendant who he said asked if he would “forget the phone” if he passed. Garda Cooper said he issued a ticket for driving while using a mobile phone. 

“He clearly told me that he would not be paying the ticket,” he recalled. He said the defendant had 26 previous convictions. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months.  The defendant was not present at Portlaoise District Court for the proceedings.