Wexford Sees a 91% Increase in Drug-Driving Charges

The number of drug-driving prosecutions in Ireland has reached alarming levels, with a staggering 37% rise in cases nationwide in 2025. According to figures released by the Irish Courts Service to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a total of 2,050 individuals have faced district court proceedings for drug-driving offences up to October this year, compared to 1,499 in 2024. Wexford has seen an even sharper rise, with 61 people brought before the district court in the first 10 months of 2025 alone, reflecting a 91% increase in drug-driving charges compared to previous years. These figures come with a broader nationwide trend that has been steadily rising since 2020, with 2025 already marking the highest level on record for drug-driving prosecutions in the district court system. Drug-Driving Cases in Recent Years - 2020: 390 - 2021: 1,179 - 2022: 1,668 - 2023: 1,843 - 2024: 1,499 - 2025 (Jan–Oct): 2,050 Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has expressed concern over the sharp escalation in drug-driving incidents, particularly as we approach the holiday season. The MEP is calling for expanded roadside drug testing to be introduced in an effort to curb the growing threat of drug driving on Irish roads. “We need to act decisively this Christmas period to protect all road users. This includes rolling out roadside drug testing on a larger scale and considering policies that would require convicted drug drivers to re-sit their driving tests or complete a comprehensive re-education programme,” Ní Mhurchú stated. The MEP has also proposed the use of modified interlock technology – currently deployed in vehicles to prevent drink-driving – to detect drugs in cars of repeat offenders, thereby deterring further incidents. Ní Mhurchú emphasized that the cases currently in court represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to drug driving, warning that many more cases may not yet have reached the judicial system. As of December 9th, 2025, 170 lives have been lost on Ireland's roads, marking a 7% increase over the same period last year.