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GARDAÍ ARE CARRYING out checkpoints in many areas across the country with hundreds of drivers being tested for drink driving.
One learner driver who was stopped told officers, “I only had three or four pints”. The driver was arrested.
Officers tested hundreds of drivers with some cars being seized for no insurance.
Gardaí also found this dog at St Margaret’s Road between Finglas and Ballymun.
They said the dog is clean and friendly and well looked after. People can contact Ballymun garda station on 01 666 4400 in relation to the dog.
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He must have thought he was talking to a bouncer at a nightclub.
Does this mean it’s okay for a qualified driver to have a few pints before driving?
Not an ounce of cop on , this person should be disqualified for a few years until he or she grows up !
Any check points outside Dublin.
God bless the back roads outside Dublin..
You are being over cautious by saying “she”. I’d quess you were the only person that considered it may be a she.
David ..just covering all angles! But I have since noticed it was actually a “he” ..
This is exactly the attitude the Gardai are dealing with.
In fairness to Suzie David I thought it was the dog at the end of the piece until I went back and read it. For the record I’m strongly against dogs driving regardless of alcohol consumption.
Etherman; this is definitely not something that you joke about
Ah Gerry , chill…
@ Etherman …ha ha especially dogs on Valium. Last Halloween the vet sent a prescription via a fax to my local chemist for a couple of Valium for my dog (13 years) old to prevent him from working himself up in a frenzy and maybe having a heart attack. Picked up the prescription from the chemist and was advised not to drive ha ha Chemist was quite amused that he hadn’t even had his lessons yet so there was no danger of him taking the car out.
There you have it Gerry. Marie confirms this is a serious issue. By the way Marie, can I get a medical card for my dog? Needs treatment. I got her going cheap but she’s meant to go woof.
Just get her pet insurance
You wonder how that person passed their theory test…
Probably driving a BMW or VW we meet them every day dont slow down at roundabouts crash red lights or the latest one pull along side their mates on a busy main road for a chat and f everyone else.
He obviously didn’t pass the “What to say at a Garda Checkpoint” test, either.
Willing to bet he never aced any test.
By answering enough questions right I presume. Now I’m no Einstein so don’t quote me on that.
maybe that question didn’t come up.
You think he’s German Alan???
Who’s we Scotty?
The theory test is a joke – you only fail if you don’t look at the book at all. It is ridiculously easy. Should bring in an interview, a license is a privilege not a right.
They do have a interview at the actual test. Do you have a license?
Isn’t it crazy that we still have tax discs in this day and age..scrap it and put a few cent on fuel to cover the revenue..the amount of garda/court time ,and council resources that could be freed up could only be positive.
Damn right kieran, it’s a 1930s solution.
Why would they do something that makes perfect sense, as some people don’t pay road tax and this would catch every one . Also the more you use the more you pay it’s a win win situation
They did that already!!! Then they brought back the tax disk, not to mention adding the water to that. Do we not learn anything in this country?
Anyone who drink drives on a bank holiday weekend is asking to lose their licence…. Find another way home
Or any day
How anyone thinks it’s OK to drink and drive is beyond me.
Why so many red arrows???
sometimes it’s just more convenient Aoife.
Spot on Aoife, I don’t know why you got an avalanche of red thumbs for that.
I don’t know how they do it, with a pint in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. They must steer with their chins.
@ Mrs Doyle its obvious that idiots are seeing only the red ones
If daddy knows the gaurd he will be ok
Why? Does daddy know a lot of cloak-like garments?
Sorry if he knows the shades
Well done to the Garda…..who ever drinks & drives and gets caught (tough)get abloody taxi because thats what will be going through your mind when you get caught …….As for the motorists with no insurance/tax im bloody delighted you got caught also. TIP for journal readers regardless how minor of an accident your in (i hope ur not)get the Garda ……A lot of people driving out there with insurance disc’s that are yearly upl to date…..BUT are actually VOID because they haven’t been paying there monthly payments….BE EXTREMELY AWARE OF THIS…….so get the Garda regardless how minor.
There’s half a country of those who think that 3 – 4 pints wont do any harm. I think the society has to stop glorifying alcohol as a must have to have good time. Any advertisements of alcohol must be banned. The worse thing is that alcohol ruins peoples lifes and that is not fun.
It ruins some people’s lives, they’re called pitys. It has no adverse effect whatsoever on other people’s lives.
If I DIDN’T have alcohol, my life would be ruined..
Unless your a 2ft midget but 3 or 4 pints may not do any harm, if it’s consumed over 3 to 4 hours. It’s the BAC that counts and NOT the amount of drink in your system.
That’s the thanks you get for educating some people.
Why do so many people have a bugbear about drink driving?! imo it is a time-honoured Irish tradition. And almost a must in rural areas.
Eoin, I’d suggest you keep that opinion to yourself and not tell your friends or family or anyone else really…
Part of the increasing move of moral high-ground tut-tutting at any behaviour deemed non PC.
I se no issue in having two slow pints and driving a few kilometres prudently home down a straight road
I think Eoin might be winding people up.
Larry you left out tut tuting at any behaviour that could cause serious harm to others because you couldn’t be bothered getting a taxi or walking home. Damn those pc loving other people on the road who don’t want to be killed by a dope who “only had the one sure”
Most of them think alcohol stayes permanently in your system. They think if to you had two pints five hours ago and sat behind the wheel you would be a drunk driver.
As someone who’s cousin was mown down by a drunk driver on 31st December last, I consider your comment pig-ignorant.
Who’s comnent?
That person who told the Garda they only had 3/4 pints should be disqualified for life and shouldn’t be let steer a Tesco trolley
It really depends *when* they had them … if taken extremely slowly, then they could still be under the limit.
Banned for life for 3 pints.. Jeez thats a bit harsh dont you think..what should happen to people who exceed the speed limit while on the phone?? Crucifixion?
A learner driver should have zero alcohol, bring in stronger rules like can’t drive at night etc, works in other countries.
It’s surprising & somewhat disturbing the amount of people advocating drink driving or red thumbing its condemnation here. I know 2 families personally, one of which lost a 20 year old son thanks to a drink driver and another whose daughter who’s been severely disabled for the last 30 years or so after she was run over by a drink driver when she was a kid. I’d like to know what they’d have to say to those families or if ‘ah sure only 3 or 4′ will make it all ok again.
They still dont get it. Drinking and driving is a despicable act . They should be ashamed of themselves. No mercy, fine and ban them.
It’s the mentality at work, depends on what side of the fence you’re on. Do you consider drink driving to be morally wrong or your only focus is to not get caught? I am of the former.
Idiots. And what would they say if they hit and killed someone….
Why don’t they just make the roads wider, one way only and stop other people from using them, after all it’s only fair as you and your family are the only ones that matter.
You might of got away with that answer in the 70s but in this day of age god loves a tryer but hates a fool !!
Makes my drunken walk back down the off license so worth it.
As far as in aware the Gardai are not allowed to seize a car unless the total of the sum owed in road tax is greater than the total value of the car???
Jasus Mark you haven’t a clue..
Did the fairies tell you that ?
what are ya ravin about..
Also, cars were seized for no insurance, not tax. But either way, cuckoo
For motor tax I believe they can seize anything that is more than 1 month out.
The Irish Drivers Association agrees with Mark and suggests you tell the Roadside officer to follow Due Process. Due Process – the law This is the guidance given to motorists from the Irish Drivers Association: Irish constitutional law 1. The 3rd amendment to the constitution. Ireland’s accession to Europe. Known as the 1972 European Communities Act. This is where the Gov of 1992 signed up to the terms of the treaty of Rome. 2. Constitutional law The constitution is the highest law in the land and no other acts of law introduced by governments shall supersede same. The constitution can only be changed or amended by the people by means of a referendum. 3. The 1992 Finance Act is an introduction of law which supposedly gives Gardai and Customs the powers of seizure which is contrary to article 15.which states “The Oireachtas shall not enact any law which is in any way repugnant to the constitution or any part thereof.” 4. Article 38 The right to a Fair Trial Article 38 the right to a fair trial in court by a Judge/ jury. If Gardai and customs start to act as judge jury and executioner on the roadside then we no longer need the courts. 5. Article 37 Every person appointed a judge shall swear an oath to uphold the constitution. And should bring it to the attention of the court where summons are been issued under the 1992 finance act giving powers of seizure is contrary to constitutional law. 6. Article 43 property rights Your property is yours and can not be seized detained or otherwise unless on foot of a court order signed by a Judge not a ( court clerk ) in other words if it’s not signed by a judge it’s not Valid.
2 months
Mark not true the Gardai can seize a car once your car don`t have a valid tax disc it is at their discretion.
An auld synopsis might of done
I’d hate to be trying to repeat all that with the blue lights flashing behind me and a few pints sloshing around in my stomach.
No
Mark did you pull that theory out of the sky. As far as I’m aware no tax, then it can be seized on the spot. Seen a 151 been seized for no tax. Are you telling me he owed €20000 in road tax.
…Might “have” done, not “of” done
Nothing unusual about this comment to a Garda at a check point, this headline is designed to shock city/urban dwellers.
The entire countryside would locked up if this was an unusual statement , thankfully some country Gardai still realize how impractical such a low blood alcohol limit is and use their discretion in these type of scenario.
Delighted to them seize cars for no tax and insurance
Brilliant love Garda traffic Twitter
He should be sentenced to watch EPL football.
Ah go easy on the lad , he’s only a learner .
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