Two off-duty gardaí arrested on suspicion of drink-driving

It is understood one off-duty officer was arrested in early September after being stopped by gardaí while driving through a town in Co Westmeath. File picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins 

Two off-duty members of An Garda Síochána have been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

The incidents took place on two separate occasions in the Midlands over the past month.

It is understood one off-duty officer was arrested in early September after being stopped by gardaí while driving through a town in Co Westmeath.

A second off-duty member was arrested about a fortnight ago after concerns were raised by a member of the public, who contacted the gardaí.

In a statement, a Garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner: “An Garda Síochána can confirm that two off-duty members of An Garda Síochána were arrested, separately, in recent weeks on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant in the Mayo/ Roscommon/ Longford Garda Division.

In respect of both arrested drivers, a file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed.

“An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time”.

The arrests come in the same month the Road Safety Authority launched Vision Zero — a new campaign aimed at reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

Speaking at the launch, RSA chairperson Liz O’Donnell told the Irish Examiner: “Drink- and-drug driving is part of mandatory testing.

If you’re stopped and you’re breathalysed, you’re off the road. People should think about the implications of being put off the road.”

Jane Humphries, chief superintendent from the National Roads Policing Bureau, said at the time: “We all know what causes accidents. What we have to remember is that not enough of us is changing our behaviour on the roads, that we all very much have a part to play. We have a responsibility. This is a shared space”.

Phase two of the Vision Zero campaign, which will run this month, highlights how improvements to road infrastructure, the increased use of technology in vehicles and enforcement and in education might assist in making vision zero a reality.

Phase three, which will air in the new year, will examine road-user behaviours.