Over 130% increase in drug driving cases 

There has been a 133% increase in the number of drug driving cases before the district courts in County Roscommon. Latest figures show that there were nine people before the district court in 2024 and this rose to 21 from January to October 2025.

Similarly neighbouring counties have recorded dramatic increases. In Longford there was an increase of 562% from 13 to 86; in Sligo there was a 124% increase from 9 to 21 and in Carrick-on-Shannon the increase was 50% from 14 to 21.

The latest figures were supplied to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú by the Irish courts service who said the trend reflected a steady rise since 2020 — but warned that this year’s sharp escalation was particularly alarming.

Ms Ní Mhurchú has called for decisive action to curb the escalating threat of drug driving, “We need an expanded roadside drug testing regime on our roads. We also need to consider policies whereby anyone convicted of drug driving is required to re-sit their driving test or, at minimum, complete a comprehensive driver re-education programme. They have to get the message that they are a danger to other innocent road users,” she said.

She also suggested deploying modified interlock technology — devices currently used to prevent drink driving in the cars of convicted drink drivers — so they can detect drugs instead of alcohol in the vehicles of repeat offenders.

Ms Ní Mhurchú pointed out that these measures were essential in the fight against drug driving and in an effort to protect all road users and restore confidence in road safety.

The Ireland South MEP described the cases that do make it to the district court as being the “tip of the ice berg when it comes to drug driving.”