Man who appeared to be texting while driving on Kildare road refused to provide a sample

A motorist who refused to provide a blood or urine sample to a doctor at a garda station was before Naas District Court.

Stephen Hudson, 47, whose address was given as 47 Beech Hill Villas, Donnybrook, Dublin and 15 Moreen Road, Sandyford, Dublin, was observed driving a VW Caddy van on the M7 on July 27, 2023.

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Garda Daniel Murphy said the vehicle was weaving on the road. He said the defendant was driving erratically and had a phone in his hand.

Gda Murphy said it appeared that the defendant was texting.

The incident occurred at Osberstown, Naas and the garda said that when he was stopped the man refused to provide an oral fluid sample, used to suggest the possible presence of an illicit drug.

Gda Murphy said the man said he had smoked cannabis the previous Thursday and he again refused a sample.

The defendant was arrested and taken to Naas garda station.

A doctor was summoned and the defendant was asked for a blood or urine sample which he refused.

Under cross examination, the garda said he saw a phone in the defendant's right hand while he was driving.

“I could see him tapping the screen as if he was texting,”  he added.

He added the defendant indicated he would take an alcohol test but not a drug test.

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions for drug driving or drink driving.

Judge Desmnd Zaidan imposed a €400 fine and a four year driving disqualification.