Disqualified driver caught travelling on hard shoulder with flat tyre had used cocaine

A disqualified motorist who was observed driving with a flat tyre in the hard shoulder of a busy road subsequently tested positive for cocaine, gardai have revealed.

Details of the shocking incident which happened in County Mayo earlier this week have been highlighted on social media by gardai who arrested the man and seized the car he was driving.

"On patrol of the N17 we saw this car with a flat tyre being driven in the hard shoulder along by Kilkelly Co. Mayo," read a post published on X, formerly Twitter.

"When we stopped the driver we discovered that he was disqualified. He then tested positive for cocaine on a roadside drug test," added the post.

In a further update, gardai confirmed that on inspection they could see that another of the car’s tyres was dangerously defective and below the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. 

Gardai have not publicly disclosed what action, if any, will be taken against the driver.

However, given the nature of the alleged offences, it's likely he will face prosecution before the court.