Eleven arrested for suspected drink-driving across Bank Holiday weekend

Eleven people were arrested in Northern Ireland for suspected drink-driving during the Bank Holiday weekend.

By Tuesday afternoon 10 of the 11 had been charged and are due to appear before courts across the region.

Chief Inspector Pete Cunningham described the continuing detection of those driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs as alarming.

He said those arrested included a 19-year-old man who was arrested in south Belfast on Monday evening on suspicion of driving while unfit, kidnapping, taking motor vehicle without authority, and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

While he remained in police custody on Tuesday afternoon, others have been charged with offences.

These include a 69-year-old man arrested in Dundonald, a 32-year-old arrested in west Belfast, a 33-year-old man arrested in north Belfast and a 19-year-old man arrested in south Belfast.

Ch Insp Cunningham said a further six people were also charged to court following reports of drink-driving offences at the weekend.

“I would like my message to be clear; drink-driving is a crime, and police are continuing to be proactive in detecting those people who commit this offence,” he said.

“Reducing deaths and serious injury on our roads is a priority for us, and every single person who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, after drinking or taking drugs is putting other road users and themselves at serious risk.

“Just one drink can impair decision-making. Just one drink can cause a collision. Just one drink could kill.”