In response to the high number of road deaths, a judge has warned he will send anyone convicted on a drink-driving charge to prison when they come before him from September 1st.
At Edgeworthstown court in Co Longford yesterday Judge John Neilan said: "Come September 1st, I will be jailing anyone convicted of drink-driving in this court."
He noted the Circuit Court had previously overturned prison sentences imposed by the District Court in relation to drink-driving charges, indicating that it did not feel it appropriate to impose custodial sentences on first-time offenders.
The judge said he respected the decision but he was determined to send out a message. "It is time to put a stop to the carnage on our roads," he added.