NEW: "He Crashed Into Two Cars and Walked Free: What Most People Don’t Understand About Drink Driving Charges in Ireland"

Let me tell you a story.

She was six times over the limit.

She crashed into two parked cars and landed on the roof.

There was no denying what happened.

And yet… she walked free.

Why?

Because court doesn’t work the way people think it does.

"In every one of the cases I see dismissed,

the person was clearly over the limit.

Every single one.

But they were still acquitted"

Truth #1: Being Over the Limit Isn’t the End of the Story

Everyone in the courtroom knew he was over the limit.

He even admitted to the Garda he probably was. But the Garda in charge was on leave—nobody had told him the case was listed for hearing.

No evidence?

No case.

He walked.

And he’s not the only one.

Truth #2: Sometimes It’s Just Life That Gets in the Way

One woman’s case was dismissed because the Guard had gone on maternity leave and couldn’t attend court.

Another because the file had gone missing: it had been posted to the prosecutor’s office but had gone missing in the post.

Another because the Judge had doubts about how the evidence was presented.

No drama.

No technicality.

Just real life.

Truth #3: Not All Guards Stay in the Job

In the last year alone, I’ve had 8-10 drink driving prosecutions around the country dropped because the Garda involved had… simply quit.

One had 19 years’ service. Another, 16.They weren’t quitting because of danger or stress.

They left because they were sick of the culture—tired of being scrutinised, of management pressure, of endless internal investigations.

Why do they quit? They invariably quit because they’ve seen how the organisation has turned against their own, how good men and women have been sacked or brought within an inch of being sacked and they say to themselves, “that could happen to me”. 

They walk away.

And with them, so did the case.

Truth #4: Courts Are Human Places

Judges aren’t machines. They listen. They watch. They ask questions.

Above all things they like fairness. If something seems off—even slightly—they act on it.

If a legal step was skipped…If the wrong charge was brought…If a certificate was handed up but not explained…

They may have no choice but to dismiss.

And when they do, the law says that’s the right outcome.

So, What Does This Mean for You—or Your Loved One?

It means: Don’t assume it’s over just because a test says “over the limit.”

That’s only part of the picture.

If a step in the process was missed, if a witness fails to show, if a piece of evidence is wrong or absent—then the whole case can collapse.

For instance, the prosecution very fairly withdrew a very difficult case of mine that was under appeal two weeks ago. An essential legal document had gone missing.

Rather than waste everyone’s time by fighting an unwinnable case, to their great credit, they pulled it.

That’s how he won his appeal.

Not because of a “loophole.”

Because justice must follow the rules.

And if it doesn’t, the only fair outcome is withdrawal or dismissal.

Sometimes you win “by default”.

The Quiet Truth About Drink Driving Charges

In every one of the cases I see dismissed, the person was clearly over the limit.

Every single one.

But they were still acquitted.

Because the prosecution failed to prove their case in full.

And that’s not some backdoor tactic.

That’s the law.

If someone you care about is facing a drink driving charge, you’re probably panicking.

It feels hopeless.

It feels like a done deal.

But it isn’t.

Let me be honest with you:

These cases aren’t easy.

The Gardai are well trained and very good at their jobs.

That’s them.

But what about you?

You spent a lot of time working hard to get your licence.

Its worth fighting for, isn't it?

"Sometimes you win “by default”

You may be angry. Embarrassed. Scared.

That’s normal.

But I’ve spent years helping people who thought their life was over… and walked out of court still driving.

“If this sounds like your situation, I’ll listen. And I’ll tell you the truth.”