Gardaí to continue drink drive crackdown

A MAJOR Garda operation tackling drink-driving will run over the next two months.

Figures shared by the Kerry’s Chief Superintendent David Sheahan at a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee on Friday, showed an increase in incidence of intoxication while driving.

The statistics showed that 151 people in Kerry were caught in the first six months of this year, up from 134 during the same period last year.

Just 17 of those 151 were female, and more than one third of all offenders were between the ages of 21 and 30.

Targeted operations to focus on drink-driving detection began last Saturday, July 2, and will continue for another six consecutive Saturdays.

Particular attention was drawn by Chief Superintendent Sheahan to the fact that more than half of all road fatalities occur at weekends, and almost two thirds of such incidents involve drivers who are under the influence.

Speaking at the meeting on Friday, Fianna Fáil Councillor Niall Kelleher described the drink-driving figures for Kerry as “very worrying”, and expressed particular concern at the number of 17 to 30 year olds who are driving while intoxicated.

“I’m 30 myself, more at the meeting were even younger, and it’s startling for us to think so many young people are being so reckless. Anyone who drinks and drives is putting lives at risk, including their own, and they’re also putting their livelihoods at risk if convicted.”