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Patrick Horan
Ireland's road traffic solicitor
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How Do Judges Think?
"Sir" and "Miss" are good starts

Patrick Horan
Dec 26, 20256 min read


What drugs show up on a roadside drugs test?
Be careful what you take

Patrick Horan
Dec 16, 20255 min read


What offences carry penalty points in Ireland?
Be careful out there...

Patrick Horan
Dec 11, 20253 min read


Is 1 Pint Over The limit?
The eternal question...

Patrick Horan
Dec 4, 20251 min read


“I drank after the crash — does that get me off the hook?”
Drank After Driving? Why That’s Not the 'Loophole' You Think It Is A lmost certainly not. And not for the reason you think. Yes, there’s a defence in Irish law known (informally) as the “ hip flask ” defence. It does exist. "Here’s the smarter move: Don’t rely on stories from idiots who googled something online or became a ‘qualified lawyer’ from consulting ChatGPT" The idea is that you weren’t over the limit while driving… but only became over the limit after you stopped d

Patrick Horan
Nov 30, 20253 min read


How to Get Your Driving Licence Back After a Ban in Ireland (2025 Guide)
"Many people wrongly believe they can start driving again as soon as they reach the halfway point of their ban..."

Patrick Horan
Nov 27, 20253 min read


Can you write off the cost of beer against income tax?
How much can you legally write off on taxes? B ill Werbeniuk was a Canadian professional snooker player in the 1970’s & 1980’s. He was also the holder of a medical certificate that approved his drinking. Even better, he could offset the cost of beer against income tax. Werbeniuk “suffered from a hereditary nervous disease (or so he and his doctors claimed) which caused his hands to shake. The only solution which allowed him to participate in his trade was drink”. No, before

Patrick Horan
Nov 20, 20253 min read


Understanding Penalty Points in Ireland: A Complete Driver's Guide 2025
Think before you pay.

Patrick Horan
Nov 19, 20252 min read


What's the difference between Careless Driving and Dangerous Driving?
I n Ireland, both dangerous driving and careless driving are offences under the Road Traffic Acts, but they differ primarily in terms of severity, intent, and the consequences of the actions involved. Of all the factors that separate both careless and dangerous driving, the consequences of the driving is the most important. In other words -and this is a general observation- if your driving results in an accident or risk of it, it'll likely be classed as dangerous. Some of the

Patrick Horan
Nov 14, 20252 min read


Penalty for First-Time Drink Driving Offence in Ireland: 2025 Guide
Your mission? Don't get convicted

Patrick Horan
Nov 9, 20253 min read



Patrick Horan
Nov 9, 20252 min read


Can I be arrested for speeding?
Context is key

Patrick Horan
Nov 3, 20257 min read


What happens in court for drink driving?
It's tricky getting to the other side, but you can do it...

Patrick Horan
Nov 3, 20258 min read


Drug driving case dismissed.
Sergeant not trained to use drug detecting equipment. A DRUG DRIVING case was dismissed at Waterford District Court after the court expressed a doubt that a device had been used correctly. Mr EH was represented by Patrick Horan and Alan O’ Dwyer B.L. The case came before Judge Brian O’ Shea. On 3 January 2021 Mr EH had been involved in a road traffic accident on the N25 at Glenmore, Kilkenny. A sergeant who investigated the accident gave Mr EH a breath test, which he passe

Patrick Horan
Oct 24, 20252 min read


How Long Do Drugs Stay in Your System for Driving in Ireland?
Cannabis, Cocaine, Codeine: How Long Before You Can Legally Drive? “I Took It Yesterday — So I’m Grand, Right?” That’s the sentence I hear the most in drug driving cases. The person feels fine. They waited a day. Maybe two. They assume they’re safe to drive. But here’s what they don’t realise: You can still test positive. And if you test positive, the Gardaí can charge you. Even if you haven’t felt high in hours, or even days. Even if it was last night. Even if it was “just

Patrick Horan
Oct 24, 20255 min read



Patrick Horan
Oct 14, 20253 min read


Drink driving case dismissed as wrong doctor took blood test.
Legally there's a big difference between a "doctor" and a "treating doctor".

Patrick Horan
Oct 11, 20254 min read


“I’m F***ed, Aren’t I?” — One Drunk Driver's 999 Call That Said Everything
Drink driving case dismissed Dublin | Judges and the Public Sector L et me tell you a story about 'John' John was a public service employee who went out one night, drank and drove. John crashed his car. The wheel came off. The car was a write off. He was arrested for drink driving and brought to the station. He gave a urine specimen that was nearly 4 times the limit. But before all that John rang 999 to report the accident. The Gardai seized the 999 call audio recording and p

Patrick Horan
Oct 11, 20257 min read


What does Careless Driving include?
There’s no standard definition of what careless driving is. It’s defined under law as driving without due care and attention, but they...

Patrick Horan
Oct 4, 20251 min read


What Speed is Dangerous Driving?
IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH dangerous driving, you will receive a summons. These words will appear on that summons: “That you did on [date]...

Patrick Horan
Oct 4, 20252 min read
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