Ireland Motorist arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at Donegal checkpoint
On Saturday 16 March 2024 at 11am, a motorist was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at a mandatory intoxication checkpoint at Drumbarnet, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, which was launching the St Patrick's bank holiday road safety operation. The driver, whose name, age, sex and nationality are not reported, had several passengers and was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station to be processed. Head of the Donegal Traffic Corps, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, confirmed the arrest in reports first published on 16 March 2024. The latest report, dated 17 March 2024, records no charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested16 Mar
2 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A motorist was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at a mandatory intoxication checkpoint.
- The checkpoint was used to launch the St Patrick's bank holiday road safety enforcement operation.
- Where
- The checkpoint was at Drumbarnet in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal; one source spells it Drumbarnett.
- When
- The stop happened at 11am on Saturday 16 March 2024.
- Cause
- Gardaí formed a suspicion that the driver was under the influence.
- Investigation
- Gardaí pulled over a motorist who had several passengers in the vehicle during a roadside briefing.
- Officers were surprised when the driver appeared to be over the drink-driving limit.
- Head of the Donegal Traffic Corps, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, confirmed that the person was arrested.
- The driver was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station to be processed.
- Charges
- No charge has been reported.
- Other details
- The wider enforcement operation focuses on drink-driving, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA motorist was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at a checkpoint used to launch the St Patrick's bank holiday road safety operation. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe checkpoint was a mandatory intoxication checkpoint at Drumbarnet in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe checkpoint was at Drumbarnett in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe stop happened at 11am on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened at 11am. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGardaí formed a suspicion that the driver was under the influence. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí formed the suspicion that the driver was under the influence. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHead of the Donegal Traffic Corps, Inspector Seamus McGonigle, confirmed the person was arrested. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe person was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station to be processed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe gardaí pulled over a motorist who had several passengers in the vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOfficers were surprised when the driver appeared to be over the drink-driving limit. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe driver was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station to be processed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOfficers were left shocked when the driver appeared to be over the drink-driving limit. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Mar2024Motorist arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at road safety launch
Single arrest at a checkpoint, reported as part of the St Patrick's Bank Holiday road safety enforcement campaign. Article is dated 17 March but says the incident happened at 11am 'today', and the first publication was 16 March, so the incident date is inferred as 16 March. No charge is reported.
suspect - 16 Mar2024Motorist arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at 11am during Garda awareness briefing
Adds the time of the stop (11am), that the driver had passengers, that officers were surprised by the apparent level of impairment, and that Donegal Traffic Corps head Inspector Seamus McGonigle confirmed the arrest.
suspect