Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3611Drink-driving (chain of custody appeal) · Co. Dublin · 21 Aug 2022

DPP appeals to Supreme Court over drink-driving chain of custody ruling

The DPP appealed to the Supreme Court on 10 March 2026 against a High Court ruling that quashed a man's drink-driving conviction due to a break in the chain of custody of his blood sample. The court reserved its judgment, with counsel noting a 'very large' number of drink-driving prosecutions are on hold pending the outcome.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe MBRS certified the specimen contained 126ml of alcohol per 100ml of blood, more than twice the legal limit of 50ml (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court reserved its judgment to a later date (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court ruled that statutory presumptions did not extend to the chain of custody after the container was sealed (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe appeal concerns legal requirements for custody of blood and urine specimens before analysis by the MBRS (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe courts annually deal with up to 7,000 drink-driving prosecutions based on blood or urine specimens (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Mar2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Supreme Court urged to overturn ‘problematic’ ruling regarding drink-driving cases

    Supreme Court hearing of the DPP's appeal; judgment reserved to a later date.

    accused, male