40% conviction rate for drink-driving ‘simply wrong’

The Courts Service has dismissed reports of a 40% conviction rate for drink-driving cases since 2013 as “simply wrong”, stating that the actual figure stands at 86%.

Figures released by the Department of Justice in response to a parliamentary question by Independent TD Tommy Broughan show that, of the more than 20,000 people due before the district courts for drink-driving offences, just 6,700, or 40%, were convicted.

Tommy Broughan