By Tony O’Reilly-
A 40-year-old man has been charged with drink driving after being apprehended at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lurgan, a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
The arrest followed a vigilant report from a member of the public around 9.40 pm on Thursday, highlighting the risks of drink driving during the festive season, The Eye Of Media.Com learnt.
The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) confirmed the arrest on Edward Street and subsequently charged the individual with driving with excess alcohol in breath.
The accused is scheduled to appear before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 17, and all charges will be subject to review by the Public Prosecution Service.
Expressing their dismay, the PSNI took to social media, stating, “Sadly the first person to ignore our warning has been arrested. For those old enough to remember the catchphrase ‘McDonalds makes your day’ it certainly made ours. A person thought it a good idea to drink drive at the drive-thru. Custody awaits… #TisTheSeason.”
This incident raises concerns about the prevalence of drink driving, particularly during the Christmas period when festivities often involve alcohol consumption. The arrest comes in the midst of the PSNI’s ongoing campaign to combat drunk driving during the holiday season.
The PSNI launched the campaign earlier this month, responding to the alarming statistic that over 2,800 individuals were detected for drink driving through the preliminary breath test (PBT) in 2023 alone. Additionally, there have been 60 fatalities on Northern Ireland’s roads this year, emphasizing the critical need to address the issue.
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson urged the public to prioritize responsible driving and make wise decisions, emphasizing the fatal consequences of drink driving. He stressed that the efforts to curb drink driving are not limited to the Christmas season, as traffic officers and local authorities continually work to educate the public on road safety throughout the year.
“The decisions you make have consequences. If you get caught drink driving, you are going to court, you’re going to lose your licence, you may lose your job and you’ll certainly lose your reputation,” warned Mr. Donaldson.
He concluded with an appeal to the public, stating, “Make wise decisions and realize the consequences if you don’t.”
The police and their partners are emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility to ensure road safety and prevent tragedies related to drink driving.