From last Thursday evening through to Sunday night, police across the District made seven arrests for drink driving, with officers alarmingly describing one man as being so drunk that he was unable to tell them his own name. 

Fermanagh PSNI explained that some of these drivers drew attention to themselves by ‘crashing, weaving from lane to lane or speeding, but a number were reported by concerned members of the community.’ 

Local Councillor Thomas O’Reilly from Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership said that people need to take responsibility when they get behind the wheel.

“Drink driving should be a thing of the past due to the amount of education and enforcement that has been done to try and stop this from happening.  Any drink at all – one pint, two pints – any amount of drink, impairs driving and can lead to someone being killed or seriously injured and that devastates families.”

“The ripple effect of that goes on for years and years to come, so I would appeal in this season of goodwill to all people to exercise knowledge of everyone’s safety and do not drink and drive.”

The police also reported that ‘two uninsured cars were also taken off the roads in the same period,’ and they also thanked drivers ‘for helping us to keep the roads safe.’

Cllr O’Reilly continued, “Drivers need to be aware that the vehicle is a very dangerous item if it isn’t used properly. In the winter time, roads can be a very dangerous place and the slightest moment where a driver is  not paying full attention could sadly result in life and death.”