Gardaí arrested a tanker truck driver on Ireland's M7 motorway after concerned motorists reported the HGV swerving between lanes and drifting onto the hard shoulder. The vehicle was marked as carrying flammable liquids, including petrol and diesel.
Interception and Discovery
A Road Policing Unit caught up with the tanker lorry and flagged it down. Officers quickly realized the driver was heavily intoxicated, spotting an empty bottle of Absolut Vodka in the cab's centre console. The driver was arrested but refused to provide a breath sample at Naas Garda Station.
Charges and Penalties
The driver was charged with refusing to provide a blood specimen, along with three counts of dangerous driving. Refusing to provide a specimen carries a fine of up to €5,000, up to six months' imprisonment, and a mandatory four-year driving ban upon conviction. The HGV was confiscated under Section 109 of the Road Traffic Act, requiring the registered owner to apply to the court for its return.
Statements from Gardaí
Kildare Gardaí stated: “Following numerous reports from concerned motorists, Naas Roads Policing Unit intercepted the driver of this HGV after it was observed being driven dangerously on the M7. The driver was discovered to be heavily intoxicated and was arrested for Dangerous Driving and Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant.” They added: “Driving while under the influence is never a mistake – it's a conscious choice that endangers innocent road users. Thanks to the alertness of members of the public who reported this vehicle, the Gardaí were able to step in before any lives were lost.”
Public Appeal
Gardaí urged the public to report suspected dangerous or drunk driving immediately, emphasizing that such calls could save lives. The driver is set to face court in the coming weeks.
