Drink driving - Intolerance of tolerance a step forward

For too long there was a misguided culture of understanding tolerance in our society towards driving under the influence of alcohol.

Incidents involving politicians have been the stuff of folklore.

When stopped driving the wrong way on a one-way street, the late Donagh O’Malley was asked if he had seen the arrows. He supposedly replied that he did not even see the Indians.

On another occasion when the same politician was convicted of a drink-driving offence, reporters had been led to believe that the court had risen for the day, and his case was then heard in their absence.

The public only learned of the affair when the issue of the so-called ‘Secret Courts’ was raised.

Some laughed at this cavalier behaviour, but too many people would learn to their cost that drink driving led to heartbreak and tragedy.

With the increase in the number of cars on the roads, the practice has had growing lethal consequences.

Politicians are expected to give example in this regard, but there was a dreadful example set in 1989 when a senator got off on drink-driving charges on the technicality that he should not have been stopped on his way home from the Oireachtas.

Deputy GV Wright accepted responsibility and waived the right to use that technicality when he was arrested for driving under the influence after he ran down a woman.

The old culture of understanding has mercifully changed.

Jim McDaid was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol coming from Punchestown Races this week.

He is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but the law must take it course.