'Extremely worrying' - Gardaí nab motorist 12 times over drink-drive limit

A motorist was found to be TWELVE times the drink-driving limit after Gardaí in Letterkenny were alerted to road tax having expired over two years ago while two others were SEVEN times over.

Gardaí have confirmed the incidents which occurred over the weekend in an appeal to road users.

On Saturday evening, the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit checked a vehicle on the mobility device.

The vehicle was 837 days out of tax. The driver was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

The driver was 12 times over the drink driving limit, had no driving licence or insurance. The vehicle was seized and the motorist was charged to appear in Court.

In the early hours of Saturday, the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit detected a vehicle being driven erratically.

The driver had no driving licence and was uninsured. They were arrested on suspicion of drink driving and were seven times over the drink driving limit. That motorist was also charged to appear in court.

In the early hours of Monday, Gardaí were conducting a mandatory intoxicant texting (MIT) checkpoint and a driver failed the roadside breath test. An arrest was made and the driver was seven times over the drink driving limit. They were also charged to appear in Court.

Another driver, arrested at a MIT checkpoint on Saturday night, was three-and-a-half times over the drink-driving limit.

Gardaí also arrested two suspected drug-drivers on Sunday evening in the Letterkenny area.

One driver was stopped after being spotted driving in a careless manner. The driver had no driving licence or insurance and they tested positive for cannabis

The driver also had a quantity of suspected cannabis in his possession.

Another tested positive for Cocaine and Opiates while a quantity of suspected cocaine was found following a search of the vehicle.

Court appearances will follow in the case of each.

“It is extremely worrying that so many drivers are still making the poor decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” a Garda spokesperson said.

“We continue to urge all drivers not to make that decision as it could have very tragic consequences for them and/or for other road users.

“Please arrange to have a designated driver for your night out or call a taxi or family member to bring you home. The consequences of drink/drug driving are very often life altering and irreversible.

“Nobody can claim ignorance when it comes to the possible consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We appeal to all drivers out there to please think road safety at all times and to help save lives on the roads by always making responsible decisions.”

Gardai ask that the public always report suspected instances of drink/drug driving to Gardaí. Gardaí may be contacted on a 24/7 basis at Letterkenny on 074-9167100, Ballyshannon on 071-9858530, Milford on 074-9153060 and Buncrana on 074-9320540.

In the event of an emergency, please call 999 or 112.