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Fianna Fáil TD arrested on suspicion of drink-driving

Published 16:01 1 Jun 2026 BST

Updated 16:01 1 Jun 2026 BST

Erin McLaughlin
Fianna Fáil TD arrested on suspicion of drink-driving

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He is currently awaiting the results of a urine test.

Fianna Fáil TD, Malcolm Byrne, faces potential prosecution after failing a breathalyser test at a Garda checkpoint.

Byrne is a TD for Wicklow-Wexford and had been travelling to Dublin Airport on Thursday morning when he was stopped at a checkpoint.

According to the Irish Independent, Mr Byrne failed the breath test and is currently awaiting the results of a urine test.

Byrne himself confirmed to the publication that he had been ‘arrested on suspicion of drink driving'.

He went on to add that he was cooperating fully with An Garda Síochána.

Eventually, the urine test will confirm whether Mr Byrne was in fact over the limit. In the case that he is, Byrne will face prosecution for drink-driving.

However, if the urine test comes back below the limit, then that will be used over the breath test.

A statement from Fianna Fáil confirmed that they were informed of the arrest and will "consider any developments in relation to this matter," per Extra.ie

They said: "The party has been informed by Deputy Malcolm Byrne that he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after he was stopped at a mandatory Garda checkpoint in Dublin.

"The party will consider any developments in relation to this matter.

"As this is an ongoing investigation and Deputy Byrne is cooperating fully with An Garda Síochána, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."

The Garda checkpoint marked the beginning of a major road policing operation conducted by the force over the bank holiday weekend.

An update from Gardaí this morning (Monday, June 1) confirmed 140 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 3,140 drivers were detected for speeding offences throughout the operation.