Nearly 200 arrested for drink and drug driving over St Brigid’s weekend

Nearly 200 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, while 2,200 were caught breaking the speed limit. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Just under 200 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol over the St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend, while 2,200 were caught speeding.

Between 7am on Thursday, January 30, and 7am on Tuesday, February 4, An Garda Síochána conducted an "extensive roads policing operation" nationwide, conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints across the country.

Nearly 200 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, while 2,200 were caught breaking the speed limit – an average of 440 each day.

One motorist was caught doing 206km/h on a 120km/h zone of the M6 in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Another was clocked doing 126km/h along a 60km/h zone on the N20 in Bruree in Limerick.

Other notable detections included:

• 144km/h in a 100km/h zone in Killorglin, Co Kerry;
• 157km/h in a 100km/h zone in Mallow;
• 86km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R661, Holycross, Tipperary;
• 142kph in an 80km/h zone on the R512, Bruff, Co Limerick;
• 136km/h in an 80km/h zone in Monart, Co Wexford;
• 163km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N11, Newtownmountkennedy in Wicklow;
• 166km/h in a 100km/h zone on the M50 in Dublin;
• 166km/h in a 100km/h zone of the N17 in Knock, Co Mayo; 
• 190km/h in a 100km/h zone of the N5 in Charlestown, Co Mayo; 
• And 168kmh in a 120km/h zone of the M6 in Galway.

Gardaí say these speeding figures were recorded are in spite of there being a reduced number of motorists using the roads in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

Nationally, four people were killed in collisions over the same time period, bringing the total number of deaths on Irish roads so far in 2025 to 15. 

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said the force "continues to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs" and urged drivers and all other road users "to plan ahead and organise a safe way home for any social occasion".

"Drivers should continue to give driving your full attention, slow down and take extra care," the spokesperson said.