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JUSTICE MINISTER Alan Shatter has sought to clarify the nature of an incident where he was breathalysed by Gardaí.
Shatter says the incident – brought to light by Mattie McGrath in the Dáil this morning – actually happened “in 2009, or possibly late 2008″ at Pembroke Street in Dublin.
McGrath raised the issue during this morning’s Leaders’ Questions, asking if either the Taoiseach or Tánaiste were aware of an incident where Shatter was stopped and breathalysed by Gardaí.
The Tipperary South TD had claimed that the incident took place sometime between the 2011 general election, on February 25 of that year, and Shatter’s appointment as a minister on March 9.
“No such event occurred at the time stated by the Deputy,” Shatter said in a statement this evening, saying he did recall a separate incident at a mandatory checkpoint.
“There was a queue of motorists and when I was reached, like those before me, my Road Tax and Insurance discs were checked and I was asked to exhale into a breathalyser,” he said.
“I did so, but failed to fully complete the task due to my being asthmatic. I explained this to the Garda.
I also explained that I was on my way home from Dáil Éireann and that I had consumed no alcohol of any nature that day. The Garda consulted with another and I was waved on.There was no question of my having consumed any alcohol, nor of my having committed any offence under the Road Traffic Acts.
The minister said he had not heard any further mention of the incident until it was mentioned in the Dáil today.
Shatter also clarified the nature of an incident he had mentioned during Tuesday night’s discussion of his disclosure of the incident where Mick Wallace had been warned by Gardaí for using a mobile phone while driving.
He said that incident was on Ormond Quay along Dublin’s north quays at 11:30am one morning “some years ago”.
“A Garda on a motorbike stopped by my car and directed me to roll down my window and informed me I should not be in a bus lane,” he said.
I explained that the signage detailed that all vehicles could travel in it between 10am and 12 noon. No more was said and he moved on.
Please no one start with that 2016 crap… he’s 88 nanna was 96, Leonard coen was 79 or something… death happens get over it…
Two late Paul! Two late! If i die between now and Sunday, i ask of my loved ones, PLEASE PLEASE do not say ‘ God damn 2016′. I’m begging you!
In 2 years time twink or some sh## will be hit by a 2016 Scania truck n people be like “2016 was just so cruel to the celebrity’s”
No n people be more like shut up ya sap….
You guys are too cool for school.
RIP Anthony, I loved Dead As Doornails
Do you remember the year when no one died, mad so it was….
Anthony Cronin leaves behind him a great legacy of wonderful writing that will endure long after his desth.
I would be disturbed if no talented people were to die. We are all human. Some of us die sooner than others but we all die, even the most talented and gifted of us.
We notice the death of talented people more because they are in the public eye and can even be a backdrop to our lives but they, like us, are not immportal.
Roll on 2017 when no celebrities will die at all.
One of Ireland’s great intellectuals.
Dead as Doornails is a classic, he was always worth listening to in interviews with the incredible company he kept.
Who’s next? 2016 has not been a good year!
@Diarmuid Lucey:
What an original comment
Met him back about 20 years ago. A very nice man. Condolences to his wife and daughter.
RIP. Dead as Doornails is a classic. When people talk about the good old days, get them to read it
Curse of 2016 strikes again
Who is he?
French académicien Michel Deon Who lives in Conemarra is dead too. Bad Day for littérature
” Dead as Doornails “is a classic, excellent read, but rather dated and somewhat indecipherable today to people not necessarily in tune with 50s/60s Dublin Bohemia.
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