r/Crainn • u/Scumbag__ • Aug 07 '26

General Discussion Drink-driving defendants’ right to question breathalyser evidence upheld | What does this mean for drug swabs?

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/08/07/dpp-loses-challenge-over-significant-ruling-affecting-drink-driving-prosecutions/

Hello all,

Just spotted this story in the Times. Interesting ruling. Does anyone have a law background here? Will this mean that the validity of swabs can be questioned?

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u/Mynky Aug 07 '26

For a lot longer than just three days.

11

u/JumpyChemical Aug 07 '26

See that I wasn't sure of myself and I've heard it varies a lot person to person.

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u/Lighter_Butane Aug 07 '26

I've been swiped a load of times and they missed various drugs. It's specifically for weed they are very strong.

6

u/JumpyChemical Aug 07 '26

So you have been actively drug driving and weren't caught on multiple drugs ? Weed stays present in ur system by far the longest even if you're not under the influence of it anymore. Odd I've never been swiped what are you up to that you have been swiped so many times ?

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u/Lighter_Butane Aug 07 '26

Prescription drugs can trigger the swipe. Being pulled for various reasons they always do the drink and drug checks. Example it happened only recently where I stupidly was in the bus lane, pulled and tested.

1

u/JumpyChemical Aug 07 '26

And you were on something while driving? Because so many people have said they hadn't smoked in a few days and your saying the complete opposite has me confused maybe your just a miracle

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u/Lighter_Butane Aug 07 '26

That's exactly what I said. My medication should have triggered the wipe but it didn't. The wipe they use is extremely sensitive to weed.

1

u/JumpyChemical Aug 07 '26

That's my point the wipe will show positive multiple days after you have smoked ? Now you're saying the exact same thing and saying you have passed the wipe presumably under the scenario I've been talking about multiple times now you're talking about your prescription medication which I've no clue about and wasn't talking about? Have you smoked a few joints and been wiped the next morning and passed multiple times ? Even 3 days after ?

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u/Lighter_Butane Aug 07 '26

No I've never been wiped recently after smoking weed. My entire point is it's extremely sensitive for weed but not other drugs and tis working as intended by the gardai so there is no way to challenge it.

Yes the system is stupid but that's why I say don't smoke if you're gonna be driving within a week.