Police in Newry have arrested the driver of a vehicle observed travelling on the “wrong side of the road” after he blew a reading over three times the legal limit.
On Friday January 16, 2026 at 1.20pm Ardmore Local Police Teams received a report of a vehicle driving erratically along Monaghan Street, Newry, in which the vehicle was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, swerving, tailgating, blaring the horn and causing a danger to other road users and pedestrians.
Crews located the vehicle parked up and spoke to the driver who “insisted that he hadn’t been drinking”.
The driver then provided a sample of breath which gave a reading of 121 which is over three times the legal limit of 35.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of Driving with Excess Alcohol in the Breath and will assist Police with further enquiries during his interview… “when he has sobered up”, they said.
A police spokesperson added: “A huge thank you to the member of the public who made the report to Police – you have very possibly saved someone’s life today.
“The message is clear: Never drink and drive.”
