Drug driver almost knocked down garda

Three years in prison and 10-year driving ban for endangerment

A recovering drug addict who crashed into a woman’s car, almost knocked down a member of An Garda Siochána, and led other officers on a high-speed chase while high on prescription drugs, has been jailed and banned from driving for the next 10 years.

In Ballyjamesduff, Gary Toal’s driving caused a pedestrian walking into the town to “jump into a ditch to get out of the car’s way”, an earlier sitting of Cavan Circuit Court heard; speeding then through the village of Crosskeys, and “straight through” a garda checkpoint at Cornerleragh, where he almost collided with Sergeant James Gallagher.

Toal (36), with an address at Furnaceland Gardens, Swanlinbar, had been a passenger in a blue Vauxhall Insignia belonging to his former partner’s sister, which was pulled over somewhere between Virginia and Ballyjamesduff. As gardaí were speaking with the driver, Toal jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off.

On the outskirts of Cavan Town, Toal collided with a Volvo jeep belonging to Susan O’Reilly at Moynehall before crashing into the front wall of a house.

Officers later found 75 tablets tucked inside Toal’s trousers and an oral fluid test came back positive for drugs. A schoolbag in the back seat also contained a bag of tablets and a wrap containing a white powder substance. Forensic Science Ireland later confirmed the substances found were 4.403 grams of cocaine, worth €352; and 1,975 Alprazolam tablets with a street value of €3,950.

Toal initially faced 17 individual counts on the indictment when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Cavan Circuit Court in March 2025. He pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, for driving in a manner that might cause substantial risk of death or serious injury to Sgt Gallagher and Ms O’Reilly respectively; dangerous driving at Derrylurgan, and driving under the influence of cocaine and without insurance at Moynehall.

He also pleaded possession of the Alprazolam at Moynehall, following a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the last summer’s criminal circuit sessions. This was to be taken into account at the end.

Toal appeared before Judge John Aylmer for sentencing at the February sittings, after an adjournment was granted last November to allow for the defendant to secure a place on a new methadone programme being rolled out for addicts behind bars.

Toal was represented in court by Joseph Smith BL, who informed the court that his client has had a “long history” of drug addiction, and further indicated that the defendant had taken “a lot” the day he decided to take the car and lead gardaí on a high-speed chase.

“He lost his partner, time with his infant daughter, and he now wants to rebuild those relationships.”

The barrister noted that a “forced collision” was necessary to bring Toal to a stop, but he said that the defendant has used his time well in custody. Toal is a cleaner behind bars, and trusted to wash out the prison vans at weekends. He also now hopes to take up a course to help him become a “better listener”.

A letter, handwritten by Toal, was handed into the judge. “He has learned a lot from being in custody,” stated Mr Smith, adding that the defendant is encouraging the court to hand down a part suspended sentence to “keep a tight leash on him, so to speak”.

Toal had 59 previous convictions at the time, more than half (31) of which were road traffic offences, four for drugs, eight for public order offences, two for being in possession of offensive weapons and one for breaching bail.

The maximum sentence open to the court was seven years, and Judge Aylmer placed the headline sentence for endangerment at five years given that the offending was considered to be in the “upper end” of the scale, before mitigation was considered.

The dangerous driving and drug driving, meanwhile, each merited six months’ imprisonment, with a 10-year driving ban.

Mitigating circumstances were that Toal was fully co-operative with gardaí, made full admissions, and pleaded guilty.

The judge acknowledged that Toal appeared to be “trusted” within the prison system, and his now engaging in a methadone programme, and “anxious” to continue engaging in rehabilitation.

“That is long overdue given his 59 previous convictions,” remarked Judge Aylmer, who reduced the sentences for endangerment to four years each, suspending the final 12 months; and the six months to five months, all to be served concurrently, on condition the defendant be of good behaviour and abstain from drugs and alcohol for a 12-month period.

A nolle prosequi was entered in respect of all other remaining counts on the indictment.