Sparks fly as coked-up driver tries to flee gardaí

Seven detections of drivers under the influence of drink or drugs made since the start of the month.

A cocaine-fuelled driver attempted a desperate getaway from gardaí on just three wheels after a tyre blow-out sent sparks flying through Cootehill earlier this month.

The dramatic incident unfolded on Monday, February 2, after gardaí received reports of a car spotted speeding through the town. Members of the Roads Policing Unit quickly intercepted the vehicle - only to discover one tyre had completely disintegrated.

Despite the damage, the driver still attempted to flee.

A roadside drug test later returned positive for cocaine.

Just 24 hours later, another motorist was arrested after they were spotted driving erratically through Cootehill during school-time hours on Tuesday, February 3.

Gardaí intercepted the vehicle and a roadside fluid sample again returned a positive result for cocaine use.

The two incidents were among seven detections of drivers under the influence of drink or drugs made by local gardaí since the start of the month.

Two of those arrested were women, including one driver known to gardaí, who was detained on suspicion of drink driving near Kingscourt.

In Monaghan, members of the local Roads Policing Unit detected a number of offences in the Carrickmacross District for speed and holding a mobile phone.

One driver who was holding the mobile phone whilst driving, was subsequently arrested for suspected drug driving, later testing positive for cocaine and opiates.

The arrests formed part of a crackdown following the bank holiday weekend, which also saw penalty notices issued to drivers for offences including speeding, holding a mobile phone, and not wearing safety belts.