Drunkskunk

Beetlebum

Just a quick question..

A mate of mine was caught drink driving last night at a random Garda check point. He has no previous convictions but is up in court in 2 weeks time and is understandably worried. He has 3 points already for speeding. Does anyone know what the story is with a situation like this. Will he be fined, given more points or will his licence get taken away for a year or so?
Any been caught before? Oh, and he knows how stupid he was for doing it in the first place and is very very sorry...your honour...thanks guys!!

Binomate

Paris Hilton.


Your friend will get points on his licence I'd imagine, if they don't ban him from the road and maybe with a bit of luck he'll get a prison sentence as well.

Alter-Ego

Dunno about points, but he'll lose his licence for a year or 6 months if he's lucky, could be 2.

magicbastarder

automatic disqualification; the period depends on how drunk, but starts at one year.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/travel-and-recreation/motoring-1/driving-offences/drink-driving-offences-in-ireland

zAbbo

all convictions for drink driving carry a mandatory disqualification from driving.

If he pleads guilty, shows some remorse, he'll get 6months, a nice big fine, and some points.

twanda

A girl I know got banned for two years for a first time offence (-- at least she claims it was.) She also had to go to AA classes by order of the judge.

Karoma

Will he be fined, given more points or will his licence get taken away for a year or so?

Probably all three. We're not psychic, and we're running low on judges.

Want an informed opinion? Seek an informed opinion: www.goldenpages.ie - look for 'solicitor'.

4Xcut

hope he gets everything, if he wants to take a risk with his own life and leave the gene pool that's his business. Taking that risk with someoneelses life by drink driving is completely inexcuseable and a dispicable thing to do.

Mossy Monk

Beetlebum wrote:

Oh, and he knows how stupid he was for doing it in the first place and is very very sorry...your honour...thanks guys!!

Does he know he is a stupid ****?

MonkeyTennis

if hes 'lucky 'he will get a years ban that will be reduced to six months. He will also have the pleasure of being named and shamed in your local newspaper which is also pretty much part of the punishment. I hope hes learned his lesson.

biko

OP, have a look around Motors forum. There are a fair few threads about someone's friend getting caught and what happens next.

Beruthiel

Beetlebum wrote:

Will he be fined, given more points or will his licence get taken away for a year or so?

All of the above I hope.
Drink drivers make me see red.
With all the ads on TV and knowing how many die from this type of stupidity, why is it that people still think it's ok to do it?

Mahatma coat

Beruthiel wrote:

All of the above I hope.
Drink drivers make me see red.
With all the ads on TV and knowing how many die from this type of stupidity, why is it that people still think it's ok to do it?

Most people ( I would hope ) would be against drink driving totaly when sober, however when you've drank away your common sense and yer standin in a rainy carpark at 2 in the mornin with yer keys in hand, you start tryin to convince that you'll be fine, shur its only a few miles and yer only a little over the limit, whats the harm?

Basicly its down to 'Instant idiot, Just add Alcohol'


Oh and OP your mate is losing his licence no question.

ShowUsYourXbox

Beruthiel wrote:

All of the above I hope.
Drink drivers make me see red.
With all the ads on TV and knowing how many die from this type of stupidity, why is it that people still think it's ok to do it?

The same reason people who are overweight and know it keep eating ****e, they're idiots.

barrett1965

She also had to go to AA classes by order of the judge.

Can a person be really forced to go to AA meetings in Ireland?

Steve_o

Beetlebum wrote:

Will he be fined, given more points or will his licence get taken away for a year or so?

Hopefully all 3...drink driving is a dangerous inexcusable thing to do....you're mate is a f**king eejit in my view, doesn't matter how sorry he is, if he knows he was wrong he shouldn't have done it in the first place......

Siogfinsceal

guy I knew was caught before got banned and then caught again and banned for 2 years its only right they cant take the risk of him doing it again and killing someone (which he was lucky he didn't do this time)

FunkZ

Licence should be permanently removed, or maybe even execution? :eek:

Dick Darlington

The disqualification times changed in March, dont know the exact details but I know somebody who was caught and got a 2yr ban, apparently if they'd been caught one month later in March when the new legislation came in, it would have been 4yrs, after 2 thirds of the time you can apply for licence again, might not nessecarily get it, but you can apply.

Also, a lot of people talk about 6mths and 1yr, this is not that common anymore, its a basic 2yrs for most.

Dublin1983

I hope the scum bag looses his licience. putting peoples lifes at risk.

Dublin1983

LazyFingers wrote:

Licence should be permanently removed, or maybe even execution? :eek:

here here

Rb

Beruthiel wrote:

With all the ads on TV and knowing how many die from this type of stupidity, why is it that people still think it's ok to do it?

Because they were born with an extra chromosome?Because their mothers drank heavily and/or abused drugs while pregnant?Because they were dropped several times on their head as a child?Because their parents are brother and sister?
Who knows but regardless, they're retarded.

Pity he didn't drive straight into a wall and kill himself while he was at it. Hopefully he's removed from our roads for a minimum of a year. I've known people who've had their licences removed for three though, and that was from testing positive the morning after a night out, so hopefully this clown gets the maximum.

Collie D

Well considering he didn't learn his lesson after being done for speeding I'd imagine he'd get higher than the minimum sentence, a year to two I reckon. Proper order

Onearmedbandit

He'll probably be banned and rightly so I think a good idea would be to introduce a zero tolerance policy for drink drivers. Drive drunk and your car gets confiscated and crushed into scrap metal. That'll learn ya

magicbastarder

rb_ie wrote:

Pity he didn't drive straight into a wall and kill himself while he was at it.

that's lovely.

4Xcut

well there's really two pluses with the wall thing; he won't hurt anyone else if he drives into a wall and he will be taking himself out of the gene pool

ats

LazyFingers wrote:

maybe even execution? :eek:

all for public flogging myself in these situations, there's a nice big spike in O'COnnell street tie him to it and every passed by gets one last of the whip at him. by lunch time i guess he'd learn his lesson a hell of a lot quicker than taking his license away. If he's been done for speeding they decideds its a great idea to go DUI then chance are he doesn't give a toss anyway. there is no excuse for being DUI.

vandermeyde

he'll get a 2 year ban assuming the new legislation is now active...no option to appeal as the minimum is 2 years...(you used to be able to appeal after 6 months predominantly on employment grounds I think)...

LundiMardi

I say let him keep the licence in return for a few weeks in mountjoy, i'd say that would deter him from future drinking endeavours.

invincibleirish

of course im going to get flamed but i say it anyway: all this self righteous pontificating about what a scumbag he is, people wishing he crashed into a wall etc.?!!,the guy made a mistake,drink drivers are not automatically evil people,lots of people have drink and driven,it doesnt matter whether its legal or not, remember the two will do campaign? chances are mommy daddy have drink and driven,so save it!!

Wing Walker

invincibleirish wrote:

of course im going to get flamed but i say it anyway: all this self righteous pontificating about what a scumbag he is, people wishing he crashed into a wall etc.?!!,the guy made a mistake,drink drivers are not automatically evil people,lots of people have drink and driven,it doesnt matter whether its legal or not, remember the two will do campaign? chances are mommy daddy have drink and driven,so save it!!

Oh yes, bring on the BBQ!

Making a mistake is generally when you don't know or understand a situation. This guy made the decision to drink and then get in his car and drive! He knew the exact risks he was taking. He could get caught by the cops (fortunately for the rest of us road users he was), kill himself (and any passengers in his car) or worse still, someone else on the road. There are absolutely no excuses for drink driving, none whatsoever!

And no, I wouldn't call people who drink and drive evil, but they are complete arseholes. A member of my own family thinks it's ok to head out first thing in the morning after a night on the batter. Complete ****e and he knows it. Yet he takes his life, and other people's lives, in his hands when he gets behind the wheel in that state. When he is caught, he deserves all he gets.

IMHO 1st conviction for drink driving: 10 year ban, suspended 5 year prison sentence. 2nd conviction: lifetime driving ban and 5 year custodial sentence!

Orange69

They should hit the drink drivers where it hurts, their car should be confiscated and sold at auction and then maybe another 5k fine on top of that for good measure..

I cant believe people still do this..

_feedback_

invincibleirish wrote:

of course im going to get flamed but i say it anyway: all this self righteous pontificating about what a scumbag he is, people wishing he crashed into a wall etc.?!!,the guy made a mistake,drink drivers are not automatically evil people,lots of people have drink and driven,it doesnt matter whether its legal or not, remember the two will do campaign? chances are mommy daddy have drink and driven,so save it!!

Mommy & Daddy lived in a very different Ireland compared to most of us.

I've never driven after taking any drink. If I'm at home and I have a bottle of beer, I will not drive. Next morning after a night out, I will not drive.

Now I'm not saying that I'm fantasic and should be somebody who everyone else should model themselves on. What I am saying is that I believe that most of the people who replied with strong views on this thread, probably do have a similar way of thinking to me regarding the issue of drink driving.

Maybe you haven't been affected by the aftermath of a road accident, but really, saying that the guy just made a mistake is ridiculous.

In my opinion, any muppet that drinks and drives should have their license taken from them and get a jail sentence.

The government are somewhat to blame though, they need to get their act together and provide proper public transport, especially in rural areas , where a large proportion of the drinking and driving takes place.

invincibleirish

im in agreement with windwalker,the guy in question is and will be dealt with by the law,my point though is the puritanical spirit in which people are wishing he is executed,flogged and that he crashes into a wall.how is the original poster supposed to react when he sees this being said about his friend?its completly over the top and the kind of reaction i doubt they would give if these people had their own friends and family caught for the same offence,all im saying is its too easy to judge and say stupid things...

invincibleirish

elviscostello wrote:

Mommy & Daddy lived in a very different Ireland compared to most of us.

i dont buy this,the way this thread has gone its been suggested that if you drink and drive then you should be executed or flogged,if mommy and daddy have drunk and drove then why shouldnt they be subject to the suggested punishments?it doesnt matter if it was in 1977 or last week,the way certain posters have reacted it doesnt matter, all i say is have a bit of cop on.if my friend was caught drink driving, yes i would be disappointed in them,yes i would probably scold them,but if some strangers started saying he deserves to be executed etc. i would certainly react accordingly

_feedback_

invincibleirish wrote:

elviscostello wrote:

Mommy & Daddy lived in a very different Ireland compared to most of us.

i dont buy this,the way this thread has gone its been suggested that if you drink and drive then you should be executed or flogged,if mommy and daddy have drunk and drove then why shouldnt they be subject to the suggested punishments?it doesnt matter if it was in 1977 or last week

There was a thread in Motors recently (can't be arsed looking for it ) a couple of people mentioned how their parents started driving. My own Dad was 16, had no license & no idea how to drive. His employer gave him a van and sent him off to figure out how to deliver groceries all round the area.
That was a very different Ireland. I'm sure he probably did drink and drive , but would never dream of it now because of increased awareness over the past number of years.

In short: There was drink. Cars came along. People drank and people drove these new things with wheels. It was never pin-pointed as a major problem.

LundiMardi

invincibleirish wrote:

i dont buy this,the way this thread has gone its been suggested that if you drink and drive then you should be executed or flogged,if mommy and daddy have drunk and drove then why shouldnt they be subject to the suggested punishments?it doesnt matter if it was in 1977 or last week,the way certain posters have reacted it doesnt matter, all i say is have a bit of cop on.if my friend was caught drink driving, yes i would be disappointed in them,yes i would probably scold them,but if some strangers started saying he deserves to be executed etc. i would certainly react accordingly

some things need to be taken with a pinch of salt... If you think people are being serious when they say that drink drivers should be executed then you have issues.

Wing Walker

invincibleirish wrote:

its completly over the top and the kind of reaction i doubt they would give if these people had their own friends and family caught for the same offence,all im saying is its too easy to judge and say stupid things...

Really?

If that member of my family was finally caught, I would actually be happy. Strange reaction you might think, but he deserves nothing less. It seems that nothing I or anyone else says to him matters. So whether it's the cops or some wall that puts him off the road, at least he won't be a danger to others any more.

Perhaps saying he should be "executed" or the like is a bit excessive but that's people's reaction to it. At least it's not the old "sure it'll be grand, I only have to drive down the road" mentality we had in this country for years.

Godforbid, but maybe you'll have a different view should anything happen to a member of your family at the hands of some drunken driver.

invincibleirish

point taken wing walker!

Q_Ball

elviscostello wrote:

Mommy & Daddy lived in a very different Ireland compared to most of us.

I dont think it was meant as an excuse, more an observation of older peoples mentality towards drink driving.

I wouldnt wish anyone smashing into a wall but strict sentences i'm all for

FunkZ

ats wrote:

all for public flogging myself in these situations, there's a nice big spike in O'COnnell street tie him to it and every passed by gets one last of the whip at him. by lunch time i guess he'd learn his lesson a hell of a lot quicker than taking his license away.

Ha, and at least the government will get the 3 million euro's worth out of The Spire!

_feedback_

Q_Ball wrote:

I dont think it was meant as an excuse, more an observation of older peoples mentality towards drink driving.

I wouldnt wish anyone smashing into a wall but strict sentences i'm all for

Not sure if I get what ya mean 100% , as in older people nowadays drink driving?! If that's what you mean you'd definately be right. Leads to my previous point re rural drink driving too .....

looking at my previous post again:

elviscostello wrote:

There was a thread in Motors recently (can't be arsed looking for it ) a couple of people mentioned how their parents started driving. My own Dad was 16, had no license & no idea how to drive. His employer gave him a van and sent him off to figure out how to deliver groceries all round the area.
That was a very different Ireland. I'm sure he probably did drink and drive , but would never dream of it now because of increased awareness over the past number of years.

It mightn't actually be so different nowadays..... the provisional system??!

Q_Ball

elviscostello wrote:

Not sure if I get what ya mean 100% , as in older people nowadays drink driving?! If that's what you mean you'd definately be right. Leads to my previous point re rural drink driving too .....

Yup. Older people (not gonna generalize, but I'm judging this on personal experience) seem to think that having a pint or two (or 2+) and driving home is acceptable. Its the "I've always done it, I can handle the drink and am a great driver" attitude. Whereas if I have even half a bottle of beer i wont get behind the wheel. I'd say its more generational than rural/urban tho.

But I understand why its so prevalent in rural areas. There needs to be a viable, sustainable alternative for people to go to and fro, campaigns to promote designated drivers (like that free coke campaign) and strict minimum sentencing for drink drivers who are caught.

I've been told there is a judge currently serving in court who is an alcoholic. They recently handed down a €250 fine to a man who was in court for the fourth time for drink driving. This comes from someone who was actually sitting in the court at the time.