(Meta Description: Learn why 37.74% of drink driving cases in Ireland get dismissed. Expert analysis of court statistics and success rates from a leading road traffic law solicitor).
Last Updated: January 2025
Introduction
This article is the first of 4 in a series on the topic of “How to get out of drink driving charges”. Naturally it is a heavily searched query online. As the area is large and complex, I have broken it into 4 short segments dealing with different ways cases like this collapse in court. The first article in the series gives a general overview and statistics on the success rate for drink driving cases in courts across the country.
"if a crucial piece of evidence or witness is not in court
or the evidence given does not satisfy the court that
the case has been proven beyond reasonable doubt
the case will be dismissed.
This has nothing to do with what part of the country the case is heard in.
Evidence is evidence"
The Truth About Drink Driving Cases in Ireland {#statistics}
According to official data from the Courts Service of Ireland, 37.74% of drink driving cases get dismissed. That's more than one in three cases between 2020-2023. As confirmed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), understanding these statistics is crucial for anyone facing charges.
Regional Variations in Conviction Rates {#regional}
Dublin vs Rest of Ireland
Dublin acquittal rate: 46.40%
National acquittal rate: 37.74%
Highest regional acquittal rate: 64.49% (East of country)
Why Do Rates Vary?
Different courts handle different aspects of cases differently.
A defence strategy that works in one part of the country in front of one judge may not work in a different part of the country in front of another.
Also, if a crucial piece of evidence or witness is not in court or the evidence given does not satisfy the court that the case has been proven beyond reasonable doubt the case will be dismissed.
This has nothing to do with what part of the country the case is heard in.
Evidence is evidence.
Common Reasons for Case Dismissals {#dismissed}
Cases sometimes get dismissed due to:
Procedural Errors
Incorrect specimen collection/transmission
Improper documentation
Testing equipment issues
Legal Requirements
Missing evidence
Improper procedures
Technical Issues
Equipment problems/misuse
Documentation gaps
Timeline inconsistencies
What These Statistics Mean For You {#statistics-meaning}
Understanding these numbers is crucial because:
A charge/summons doesn't guarantee conviction
Proper legal representation matters
Each case is unique
Defence strategies may exist
Immediate Steps After a Charge {#steps}
If you're facing charges, take these crucial steps:
Document Everything
Time of arrest
Garda procedures followed
Any testing (roadside/Garda Station) conducted
Preserve Evidence
Keep all paperwork
Note any witnesses (if available)
Record timeline of events
Expert Insights
Successful defences often depend on:
Proper procedures being followed
Accurate documentation
Timely processing
Valid testing methods
Looking Ahead
In part 2 of the series, we’ll examine specific medical and technical defences that have lead to drink driving cases being dismissed.
Keywords: drink driving Ireland, drink driving defence, beat drink driving charge Dublin, drink driving court statistics 2024, drink driving acquittal rate Ireland
[Next Article: Medical and Technical Defences →]
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