NEW: Does a Drink Driving Conviction Mean a Criminal Record in Ireland?

Day 4 of 10 – Facing Court in Ireland: What You Need to Know

Meta Description: This is part of a 10-day series answering the most common fears people have about facing court in Ireland—particularly for drink driving and road traffic cases. If you’ve been arrested, or someone close to you has, you’re in the right place.

Learn whether a drink driving conviction in Ireland results in a criminal record, and how it can affect your future, insurance, and travel.

You already know what you did was stupid. You don’t need the court to tell you that. But now you’re asking yourself: will this follow me forever?

Yes. A conviction is a criminal record.

But not all criminal records are treated the same.

Drink driving isn’t like assault or theft. It’s a strict liability offence—intent doesn’t come into it. There’s no victim, no criminal intent.

Judges know that.

Employers usually do too.

It’s seen as a lapse in judgement, not a sign of dangerous character.

"in order to not be disqualified we cannot end up being convicted.

After all, if you’re not convicted you can’t be disqualified,

and being disqualified is what we want to avoid more than anything.

So, we must ensure that our defence is robust, strategic and forensic

enough to ensure that this does not happen, that we do not get convicted.  

And then you can drive home.

Now you understand"  

But even so, it has consequences. It stays with you. It affects your insurance, your travel, and your sense of security every time you fill out a form asking about convictions.

I’ve had clients break down when they realise this isn’t just about a fine.

It’s about being marked.

And once the conviction is in, the disqualification follows automatically.

The judge doesn’t get to choose.

The only question that really matters: can the conviction be avoided?

Something to ponder

I’m a big fan of logic and reason.

Consider this: if you are convicted you will be disqualified.

No doubt about it.

What can we deduce from this?

That in order to not be disqualified we cannot end up being convicted. After all, if you’re not convicted you can’t be disqualified, and being disqualified is what we want to avoid more than anything.

So, we must ensure that our defence is robust, strategic and forensic enough to ensure that this does not happen, that we do not get convicted.  

And then you can drive home.

Now you understand.  

Tomorrow’s post tackles the idea of representing yourself. Is it brave? Is it smart? Or is it just quietly disastrous? I’ve seen all three.