Gardai made a concerning discovery when they stopped a motorist in Co Laois on Monday.
The road user was spotted by officers on patrol in Portlaoise using their mobile phone while driving.
When stopped, members of the force found not only was the driver disqualified, but that the motorist was also in possession of a dangerous knife.
Gardai arrested the individual and they will now face court proceedings. Their vehicle was also seized.
A spokesperson for the Laois/Offaly garda division said: "Laois Roads Policing Unit on patrol today stopped a driver in Portlaoise who was using a mobile phone while driving.
"The driver was discovered to be disqualified from driving and also found in possession of a knife.
"Vehicle seized and driver arrested. Court proceedings commenced against the driver."
Elsewhere, gardai have been busy across the country carrying out checkpoints on Irish roads in recent days.
Members of the force in Cavan caught four drivers over the weekend for a range of serious offences.
One vehicle was found not to be roadworthy and the driver was found to have breached registrations and fuel rules.
Three other motorists were found to be driving under the influence of an intoxicant, including drugs such as cocaine.
A garda spokesperson from the Cavan/Monaghan division said: "Over the weekend Cavan Roads Policing Unit were conducting patrols and checkpoints countywide.
"On Saturday a jeep was detained for roadworthiness issues and registration offences. The customs also detected fuel offences.
"Another driver in Killeshandra failed a roadside drug test, was arrested with blood samples taken at the station.
"On Saturday night in Cootehill a driver attempted to avoid the Gardai - was intercepted and arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of an Intoxicant.
"Then on Sunday night a disqualified driver was detected driving and not only that he failed the roadside drug test for cocaine too. The customs also detected a fuel offence in this jeep also."
