Sharp rise in drink-driving arrests

THE number of people arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Cork, Kerry and Limerick was up an astonishing 44.5% last month, compared to February 2006.

Meanwhile, gardaí have become increasingly concerned with the rise in deaths among cyclists and pedestrians, many of whom were intoxicated when they were killed on their way home from the pub.

A total of 19 pedestrians and three cyclists have been killed in the region in the past 14 months and gardaí are asking pub customers to ensure that intoxicated friends are not left to their own devices and are helped to get home safely.