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An Garda Síochána

Poll: Do you agree with the plan to name and shame disqualified drivers?

The CEO of the Road Safety Authority thinks publishing names will act as a deterrent.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE been disqualified from driving can expect to see their names published in their local paper from next year.

The CEO of the Road Safety Authority told TDs before Christmas that drivers who had been proved in court to have broken the law could expect to have their details published, under a new plan being worked on by officials.

While drinking and driving is now entirely unacceptable “there still seems to be a societal acceptability to drive when you have been disqualified,” Moyagh Murdock observed.

Do you think the scheme will act as a deterrent?


Poll Results:

Yes (7071)
No (4167)
No opinion/not sure (708)

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71 Comments
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Is this not already in the papers.

    149
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    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:47 AM

    If you know the editor or owner of the local rag you can keep it off the paper.

    121
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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:37 AM

    You might be able to keep it off the paper but you can’t keep it of the laundry line telegraph. Anybody who gets disqualified will have their name and offences aired to all and sundry after mass and in the shops within no time. I once came out of court and heard about a conviction from another person who wasn’t even in there within five minutes of me leaving the hearing,

    39
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    Mute B-Egan
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:01 AM

    Would a disqualification not be enough. There is alot of other crimes where naming and shaming would be a deterrent . Like the penalty points some names will be published others with clout i doubt it.

    54
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    Mute mr magoo
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:42 PM

    More crap for the little people cos we all know the movers and shakers won’t make it into the papers. Keep us busy pointing at each other while tge real crininals get on with business of owning everything, like newspapers for example

    59
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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Dec 20th 2015, 1:29 AM

    Name and shame, do you think it’d bother them?

    1
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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 20th 2015, 3:39 AM

    Once a person pays their fine or is sentenced – justice has prevaled – there is no need or justification for further punishment which will effect innocent family members – a vigalante gang wouldn’t even do that.

    7
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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:23 AM

    Serial offenders will not give a shit!

    146
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    Mute nifty50
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:28 AM

    No one will give s shit period

    99
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:17 AM

    Most of them keep driving anyway. Such a low chance of getting caught and they don’t give a sh!t anyway!!

    52
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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:40 AM

    Bilbo, the local gardai know who is and isn’t supposed to be driving especially in the country. There was a case in Bandon about 5 years ago where a person was caught driving a tractor even though they were supposed to be off the road and who was spotted by the local garda. Their defense that they “thought it only applied to their car” didn’t wash and I think they got another year off for their stupidity.

    37
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Dec 19th 2015, 12:50 PM

    Exactly what he should have gotten too. I see two people that have been disqualified from driving , driving every day. Its something pretty hard to police I reckon.

    5
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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:25 AM

    Right is it for just drink driving or other stuff , because other stuff is decided by Rock paper scissors by the super intentdent. And what about people with identical names in an area ??. I rented in an estate in Limerick and there was another Dave Meager a few houses down. Maybe we should have a proper police force and justice system before this BS.

    74
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    Mute luke frankus
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:55 AM

    Are you sure that’s your name?. Be good if you could spell it properly..

    31
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    Mute Aidan
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:08 AM

    It’s Superintendent you moron and as for Rock Paper Scissors, let’s just say you’re spelling is better than your humour

    6
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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:15 AM

    I was “named and shamed” for a drugs fine in the local paper once. Funny thing is I have never been in court in my life. The boss called me in to fire me and all until I pointed out that I was at work at the time I was supposed to be in court. I live in a rural area and there are about 4 different guys with the same name living in the same area. The local rag only printed the name and the local village. Not fun. Of course it won’t matter in the city at all as most people don’t know the name of the person 3 doors down from them. It does give an insight into parish pump mindset of the “genius” proposing it though.

    63
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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:15 AM

    *Rasputin is a very common name where I come from….

    60
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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:21 AM

    @Rasputin. The thing with rural areas is most people know eachother and would know who the culprit is. Your boss is out of order jumping to conclusions. Why would a fine be grounds for sacking you?

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:23 AM

    Zero tolerance for a drugs conviction in the job and I worked in the city 25 miles from where I lived.

    21
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    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:39 AM

    He’s a bus driver !!! :-)

    7
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    Mute Rasputin
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:51 AM

    Nah, was training people in a call center at the time of all things.Half the people working there were either stoners or drunks but as long as it wasn’t official nobody said anything.

    21
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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:35 AM

    Yes people with the same name in the same licality, could bring them to court.

    8
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    Mute Void bringer
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:15 PM

    My local s**t rag newspaper, the Hardcore Granny gossip Wicklow people. Once played up the charges of my friend. Who was dragged through the courts like a hardened criminal. His name was printed in the paper, and he was made out to be a major player in the community. People also kept asking him when he was going away for what he had done? So what was this serious crime that warranted such a nasty heading? He was caught with the making`s of two or three spliffs. The paper deliberately used the heading man caught with Drugs, which seems and sound more serious.Never once did they state the Drug or quantity in the story, which was basically a small pea of Hash.

    23
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:29 AM

    CEO of road safety Ireland is a dolt, Same women that was saying she wanted to scale fines according to income, a blatant violation of constitutional rights…

    How many Paddy Murphys and Sean Butlers does she think there are in Ireland… What about the lawsuits when one looses out on a job because one of the 1000 others featured on her ‘disgraced drivers list’

    61
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    Mute Pat Nolan
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:10 AM

    They should sort out the road traffic laws to close that loop holes that are used by cute hoor solicitors and barristers to get people off.

    33
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    Mute Billbond4
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:23 PM

    Road fines according to income works very well I’m finland, everybody gets hit the same. The ceo of Nokia at the time got a speeding ticket and it was a hefty sum,pity ireland wouldn’t do something similar. We all have a responsibility to drive safe on the roads

    6
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    Mute A man from Ireland
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:46 AM

    It’s nobody’s business if I get disqualified. Typical Irish, looking to publicly condemn the whole world so they can sit at home in their armchairs judging everyone else because they’re all so fu*cking perfect until they get disqualified too

    59
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    Mute Paddy Kavanagh
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:21 AM

    posting it in paper is a pointless exercise. people love a good gossip in ireland half the parish would know the morning after!

    55
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    Mute John S
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:31 AM

    Paddy, if somebody is caught drink driving they deserve to be shamed. I always laugh that only in Ireland would drink driving be something to “gossip to the parish” about. What about if instead of being caught by the Gardai they killed somebody? Would that be a big gossip too?

    45
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    Mute Paddy Kavanagh
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:42 AM

    its posted in the local papers anyway as already said. it can be any driving offence not just drink driving. my neighbour was in the paper for speeding!

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    Mute Juan Venegas
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Read the article, it says “Disqualified drivers” not people caught speeding or not paying their NCT. You must have doing a serious amount of speeding for your license to be taken away.

    9
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    Mute Nial Mor
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    Dec 19th 2015, 2:12 PM

    Juan people can be disqualified for speeding also or no insurance or too many penalty points.

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    Mute Peter Lavelle
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    Dec 19th 2015, 2:24 PM

    A serious amount of speeding?… Being caught 4 times in 3 years is extremely possible…..I got caught twice in a month

    6
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    Mute Juan Venegas
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:27 AM

    Throw in convicted pedophiles while we’re at it.

    25
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:59 AM

    You can be disqualified over a medical issue and not be at fault, so no.

    24
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    Mute JJandtim Dwyer
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:30 AM

    A lot of people who drink excessively do so because they are depressed and going through a bad time , why should it be necessary to penalise them again through the corrupt media.

    24
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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:34 AM

    @j jandtim! Depression and going through a bad time is no excuse for driving while under the influence.

    41
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:01 AM

    He didn’t say it was an excuse.

    12
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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:23 AM

    I never said he said it was an excuse. See how that works neal?

    9
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:02 AM

    And the publican who served the driver the drink should also be named.
    And the company who’s beer he was drinking.
    And the Garda who arrested him.
    And the car he was driving.
    And any other relevant information the wider public might have an interest in gossiping about….where he goes on holidays every year, what type of underwear he wears etc etc.

    18
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    Mute Kevin O' Brien
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:30 AM

    I’ve done it before personally. Almost every time you’ll make it home safe. But that 1 time u fcuk up will ruin either yours or some other families lives. And for all your family, not only u…

    18
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    Mute Kevin O' Brien
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:40 AM

    Lot of people in glass houses here I suppose. Either way, its a stupid, dangerous thing to do. Hopefully the fact that the majority of people red thumbed me signifies the fact that most irish people dont do it.

    6
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    Mute Willy
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:32 AM

    The question is, does this apply to everyone? Or just your average Joe? By the way, I do not condone drink driving.

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    Mute Sinead Spain
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:59 AM

    Naming and shaming is a waste of time, those that care might be a bit embarrassed, but will it stop them? might deter them for a while. Those that don’t care probably won’t read a newspaper anyway, it will make no difference.

    I’m all for a bit of community service for repeat offenders…. it’s a little more public than a “small ad” in the local paper.

    12
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    Mute Santa Claus
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:51 AM

    I’m not sure anyone will give a toss, the guy being named could have been unlucky and racked up 12 points, most of us if we were constantly monitored would rack up enough points to be disqualified, if he or she was disqualified for killing someone then that would be a different matter of course.

    9
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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:44 PM

    The question asked in the headline is very different to the question asked in the poll.

    9
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:22 AM

    Yes I do agree for over drink limit drivers

    6
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    Mute Tom Carroll
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:14 PM

    Naming and shaming sex offenders would be a better idea.

    6
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Dec 19th 2015, 4:50 PM

    Polls apart – there are two questions

    The title of the article is:
    “Poll: Do you agree with the plan to name and shame disqualified drivers?”

    The caption for the poll graph is:
    “Do you think the scheme will act as a deterrent? ”

    The article says:
    “drivers who had been proved in court to have broken the law could expect to have their details published ”

    Unless something happened to the English language lately – these are three different things – Can I take back my vote please?

    5
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    Mute mr magoo
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    Dec 19th 2015, 12:47 PM

    Redacted doesnt worry about name and shame he owns the newspapers. Nice

    5
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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:29 PM

    As usual only certain people will be named and shamed. How many publicans, councillors, politicians, doctors, firemen, police, Golf club captains etc have been done for drunk driving in the last 10 years. A list by profession would be interesting as I suspect it is only the little people who pay the price in Ireland. Why is there 2 parking spots outside Gleesons pub in Booterstown when it creates traffic problems and is dangerous?

    5
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    Mute David A. O'Leary
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:22 AM

    We already don this with Tax defaulters.

    4
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    Mute Vivian Wynne Philips
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    Dec 19th 2015, 10:09 AM

    All the regional papers do this as it stands . So it will not make a blind bit of difference . Those who drink and drive don’t careless anyhow some wear it as a badge of honour .

    4
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    Mute Alice Kehoe
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    Dec 19th 2015, 12:01 PM

    It could prove dangerous; there might be a risk of inciting vigilantism. Naming and shaming is one thing, but what if some neighbourhood yobs decide that more severe punishment is warranted? Worrisome.

    4
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    Mute James O Carroll
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    Dec 19th 2015, 8:07 PM

    they should name and shame people who rape, assault, rob and do any other dangerous acts. and put them on a big billboard

    3
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    Mute Rodger 5
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:04 AM

    I don’t agree, however if they drive while banned then hire a plane & fly the banner after last mass on Sunday.

    2
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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:44 PM

    Why doesn’t the RSA appoint Norris McGossip as their new Chairman.

    2
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Dec 19th 2015, 3:28 PM

    I cannot understand what they are talking about. If people are prepared to drive while disqualified and without insurance, they will hardly care about their names appearing. If they were in court already and disqualified, then their names would already be in the public demain.

    2
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Dec 19th 2015, 1:10 PM

    I’m sure Anto from the Dublin slums would be deeply mortified if his colleagues Rashers and Jonno discovered he was driving in an unsafe manner.

    2
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    Mute Rashers Tierney
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    Dec 19th 2015, 2:06 PM

    I’d be horrified, “Rochelle “, the bucolic beauty with the giant chip.

    4
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    Mute leartius
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    Dec 19th 2015, 5:30 PM

    Most local papers have a courts section normally a few drunk driving cases each sitting. To common of a occurrence for the paper to give up advertising space. If all names are to be published then who is going to pay to have them published the taxpayer or are newspapers going to publish lists as a common good. How is it no one is ever arrested on the night of an election count. Pointless measure but gets your man names in the media

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    Mute Nigel O'Neill
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    Dec 19th 2015, 9:27 PM

    No..How about some laws to release names of all the beneficiaries of Nama activities and other political connected items!! When we have some of those laws, then lets get back to more laws and controls on Joe&Joanne Soap!!!!!

    1
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    Mute Kath Noonan
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    Dec 20th 2015, 8:52 AM

    Again they try to distract from the REAL criminals of this country – the white collar crime people. Go after them for a change.

    1
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    Mute Mick Price
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    Dec 19th 2015, 11:58 AM

    Ridiculous. You people are nonsense.

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    Mute Peter Lavelle
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    Dec 19th 2015, 2:21 PM

    People make stupid mistakes, if we are going to naming and shaming people who get drink driving disqualifications why not publish all the sex offenders in an area or all the convicted drug dealers, or all the the people caught pi$$ing in a lane way on a Saturday night!
    This is a step to far, and all it does is feed into gossip and publicly humiliate people a second time.

    1
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