Mayo motorists taking 'merry' Christmas a little too far

PRE-Christmas drink drive arrests in Mayo have soared compared to 2015.

In the period December 11 to December 18, seven drivers who are suspected of being over the limit were arrested.

That's an increase of over 100 per cent on the same period last year when just three people tested positive after being breathalysed.

According to figures released at the weekend by Supt. Joe McKenna, two of the December 11-18 arrests were in Castlebar district, with two in Westport, and one each in Claremorris, Swinford and Crossmolina.

All of the seven breathalysed were male and in the 20s to the 50s age brackets.

Supt. McKenna has warned anyone socialising over their festive period to leave their vehicle at home. Drivers who don't heed this advice, as well as risking their own and others' lives, face a mandatory period of disqualification if convicted.