asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions that have taken place under legislation governing the breathanalyser since 21 July 1978, the number of prosecutions for each county and the fines, if any, imposed by the courts in addition to automatic suspensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Breathanalyser Prosecutions.
A total of 7,821 prosecutions were instituted under sections 49 (2) and (3) and 50 (2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 and under sections 12, 13 and 14 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1978, between 21 July 1978, when the 1978 Act was brought into force, and 31 December 1979. Statistics of these offences are compiled on the basis of Garda divisions rather than county. The details are set out in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated in the Official Report.
The information sought in regard to fines imposed could only be compiled by the allocation of considerable staff resources, which would not be warranted.
Garda Division |
Prosecutions under s.49 (2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (substituted by s.10 of the Road Traffic (Ammendment) Act, 1978)- Driving or attempting to drive mechanically propelled vehicle, alcohol concentration above prescribed limits |
Prosecutions under s.50 (2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (substituted by s.11 of the Road Traffic (Ammendment) Act, 1978)- Being in charge of mechanically propelled vehicle, alcohol concentration above prescribed limits |
Prosecutions under s.12 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1978— Refusing to provide preliminary specimen of breath. |
Prosecutions under s.13 or s.14 of the Road Traffic (Ammendment) Act. 1978— Refusing to provide or permit taking of blood/urine specimen at Garda Stations. |
||||
1978* |
1979 |
1978 |
1979 |
1978 |
1979 |
1978 |
1979 |
|
Carlow/Kildare |
29 |
182 |
— |
16 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
9 |
Cavan/Monaghan |
34 |
297 |
2 |
9 |
9 |
23 |
9 |
68 |
Clare |
6 |
99 |
— |
1 |
3 |
9 |
3 |
9 |
Cork East |
90 |
543 |
3 |
17 |
11 |
43 |
25 |
85 |
Cork West |
26 |
107 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
13 |
Donegal |
52 |
240 |
— |
40 |
8 |
24 |
9 |
45 |
D.M.A. |
465 |
1,489 |
50 |
57 |
94 |
152 |
117 |
203 |
Galway West |
27 |
181 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
12 |
4 |
33 |
Kerry |
38 |
224 |
— |
9 |
— |
20 |
5 |
13 |
Laoighis/Offaly |
21 |
92 |
— |
2 |
— |
3 |
4 |
15 |
Limerick |
7 |
134 |
— |
4 |
2 |
19 |
7 |
29 |
Longford/Westmeath |
46 |
219 |
3 |
10 |
3 |
11 |
7 |
13 |
Louth/Meath |
21 |
245 |
3 |
10 |
8 |
36 |
12 |
42 |
Mayo |
18 |
227 |
— |
8 |
6 |
26 |
9 |
36 |
Roscommon/Galway East |
24 |
137 |
3 |
8 |
6 |
17 |
9 |
20 |
Sligo/Leitrim |
26 |
132 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
18 |
5 |
21 |
Tipperary |
28 |
112 |
13 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
5 |
15 |
Waterford/Kilkenny |
23 |
140 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
26 |
3 |
22 |
Wexford |
7 |
132 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
1 |
12 |
Totals |
988 |
4,932 |
85 |
219 |
170 |
477 |
247 |
703 |
* The 1978 figures cover the period from 21/7/1978 to 31/12/1978.