Hundreds of drink driving cases struck out before Supreme Court gave go-ahead

In a unanimous judgment delivered yesterday, the Supreme Court held that written statements relied on to show a person’s breath alcohol level could be admitted as evidence even though they were not provided in both the Irish and English languages as provided for by the Road Traffic Act 2010.

Up to 1,000 drink driving cases in the District Court will now proceed, having been adjourned awaiting the court’s determination.

However, defence solicitors said that a “considerable number” of cases – as many as hundreds – had been struck out by impatient judges.

A Co Mayo solicitor said: “Judges got a bit annoyed that this was taking so long. First the Court of Appeal and then the Supreme Court decision which took an inordinate amount of time. It basically came down to pissed-off judges and the defence solicitors weren’t complaining.”

Cork solicitor Frank Buttimer added: “Most cases affected by the original decision have been adjourned from time to time pending the decision. They will now be reactivate and proceed through the courts in the ordinary way. But a considerable number have been struck out.”