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THERE WAS A heavy garda presence on the M50 last night as gardaí set up a checkpoint in a bid to catch drink drivers.
At 9.30pm last night, gardaí, assisted by the armed support unit and divisional traffic units, performed the first ever checkpoint on the motorway.
Officers breathalysed 164 motorists and one person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. There were also a number of drivers caught without tax and/or NCT.
Two cars were seized during the operation which lasted just over an hour. It is expected that more checkpoints are likely on the motorway in the future.
The latest crackdown comes as Transport Minister Shane Ross says he is considering “naming and shaming” drink drivers in the same way tax defaulters are.
He told RTÉ’s News At One a database of people who have been convicted of drink driving is one of several measures his department is reviewing in a bid to tackle drink driving.
Ross described 2016 as a “disastrous year” for road safety – 187 people lost their lives on Irish roads last year, 25 more than in 2015.
In a crackdown on drink driving over Christmas, gardaí arrested over 730 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol – a 34% increase on December 2015.
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Thinking of throwing my own hat into the ring at this stage just to make it interesting and to draw attention to myself.
@FrankDapavia:
Your a dab hand at making up stats to suit your argument so no doubt you could spin a few stories to get some media attention. You should go for it, it would be amusing to watch you defend your statements in a TV debate.
@Nick Allen: Don’t mind Nick Frank I’ll vote for you.
@Nick Allen:
You never know Nick, I might hire you as a Spin consultant.
Maurice McCabe for pres
@Dermot Mc:
Maurice McCabe for Garda Commissioner.
All the rotten apples would be very quick to retire.
Then we should promote him to Taoiseach and clean up Irish Politics.
Dear god no not him
Abolish the presidency
@I Pee Freely: that referendum would never pass
President Higgins has done a fine job in representing Ireland but 7 years is a long time fir a man his age and things could change quickly, Kelly was a leader in removing article 42 from the GAA so he’s ok in my book
@Fergus Sheahan: was my Irish teacher and had a soft spot for me. Enough reason for me to vote his way in this ceremonial post.
@Fergus Sheahan: And we know how political the GAA can be, rather see someone genuine without the political baggage – Sean Quinn maybe.
I’d sooner eat a nest of wasps than ever vote for FG FF or Labour, parasitic leeches who have obliterated the country over the years
@Jonny: correct. and every tribunal they set up was to cover up their lies and defend the indefencible.
@Sean Conway: The love for tribunals is because they never have to face a day in court that many of them rightly deserve. Nothing disclosed at any tribunal can be used in evidence.
@Jonny: Couldn’t agree more Jonny, now pass me a slice of wasps nest.
@Jonny: Just a shame there’s no viable alternative.
@Liam Mac Roibin: thankfully pre historic man didn’t have your outlook. We’d never have had the wheel invented!!!!
Why does it have to be someone in the public eye? Let 10 citizens who are prepared to do the job and all it entails run for election. Put forward your CV, do the assessment and interview and let the people decide. Now that would be a real presidential candidate!
oh nooo
Comes across as very cold and dull
Ah FFS.
OMG
Not that gonsh@te
@Patrick j Brady: I could never understand what Sean Kelly is saying when he speaks? Higgins is the best of a bad lot so be best if he stays,
Sounds like a job for Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, put a bit of life back into the presidency and make us all smile again.
@Chris Kirk: Another hypocritical waster
@oh i dunno: Maybe you would prefer Nigel Farage, gets things done and a friend of the US president….
@oh i dunno: only MEP we’ve got. Does Trojan work on our behalf over there.
Follow him on Facebook and watch his contributions, brilliant.
When every Tom, Dick , Harry and of course Miriam feel entitled to be president, why not a Sean, why not indeed, I guess it would be difficult to find a candidate untainted by politics, their own entertainment value , self image that they are so worth ‘it’, just wish there was an ordinary Joe or Mary, somewhat connected to ordinary people who might apply for the job but then again, this is a done deal between the political parties who champion and sponsor their own, don’t you just get tired of hearing the names coming forward, don’t forget Bertie and Frances Fitzgerald are also players in the game, and on and on it goes.
@Honeybee: when a fairly ordinary person goes for the presidency, the media, in collusion with the political party of their choice (usually labour) destroys them like they did to Adi Roche, Declan Ganly and Sean Gallagher and the electorate falls dutifully in line every time.
@Síghle A Ni Ainle: Your assertion that Declan Ganly is “fairly ordinary” is one of the funniest and most honest description I’ve ever heard of him.
@Honeybee: Miriam O Callaghan is the one, lovely classy educated elegant lady, who would fit the position beautifully, who wants the like of Sean Kelly because he was involved with the GAA cowboys??. No way.
How did I know this clown would try get the nod? I’ll probably vote FG at the next general, but good lord I hope they don’t trigger an unnecessary election just because they’re the only major party never to have a President.
@Darren Bates: what’s wrong with Sean? He’s a former president of the GAA, and he’s a Munster man. What more could you ask for? Yes, he’s FG, but people should be willing to overlook that.
But, not Mairead McGuiness; please, God, anyone but Mairead McGuinness!!
@Darren Bates:
Have to agree with u, an election for president would be a complete waste of time and money
@Darren Bates: When your nose is in the trough, it’s difficult to leave it.
@David Murphey: a complete lack of a personality might go against him he is seriously dull someone with a bit of character would be nice
@Darren Bates: “I’ll probably vote FG ”
So you’re either incredibly, Wealthy, Poor or stupid.. Which is it?
Anyone but kelly. God help us.
Sean Kelly was instrumental in pushing TTIP and CETA and dismissed concerns expressed by many citizens about the undemocratic investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms in each.
@roscaf: CETA is evil…
Oh my god.
@@mdmak33: I don’t think that God is available for the presidency, try Jesus perhaps…..
Obviously I’m waiting to hear what Bob Geldoff thinks before I decide.
Couldn’t we use the lotto drum instead of an election – names on a ball simple as – it could be a late late special!!
@Oliver Francis: that’s the World Cup draw.
The answer would be NO
Donald Trump is my President.
MAGA.
I would not be a fan at all of Sean Kelly but dear god not that other fool. The teacher with no formal qualifications as a teacher who joined the British army after of Bloody Sunday. Maybe he liked what he saw.
I nominate Dana
@Kieran Henry: International lol.
Kelly seems to be a decent enough chap but FG’s arrogance of assumption is breath taking. I suspect Higgins is going nowhere.
Vladimir Putin.
Brian o Driscoll would work for me x
What an arrogant Man full of his own importance,I remember him well from working in Croke Park, Not a Man for the People, he should learn some Manners and learn how to Respect people
Like all Kerry people “Have a wide view of the world but what’s in it for me” Full of self importance and only thinks what good for himself. Like many of the Kerry GAA players huge egos and only concerned what they can get out of it. Liam Hassett, Kieran Donaghey etc. The animal kingdom of weasels and spineless creatures. Anything for that bag of silver.
Oh good sufferin Jaysus.
Oh god I hope not
He Has A Sports Background so he’s fit for the role? Hmm. Are we to expect State broadcasts at dawn, showing us all how to get up early and exercise?
zzzzzzzzzz!wtf.
Martin O’Neilll. He really wants to get out of his present job.
Marty Morrissey? Why not?
Dear God NO….
Best of luck Sean.Wonderful president of Gaa and representing the country well in Europe.
@Liam Sheahan: Politics here is ruined with the GAA and teachers…
have your say