Sinn Féin: Sinn Féin TD for Kerry North Martin Ferris yesterday admitted he was relieved that a urine sample test showed that he was under the legal drink-driving limit and pledged that he would not be drinking and driving again.
He was stopped by gardaí while driving home in Ardfert in north Kerry at about 1.50am on April 22nd last and when a test showed he had consumed alcohol, he was arrested and brought to Tralee Garda station.
Mr Ferris is an asthmatic and was unable to use the intoxilyser so he instead gave a urine sample. He received the results of analysis on the sample yesterday which showed he had an alcohol level of 55mg per 100 ml - just over half the legal limit of 107 mg per 100ml.
"I always believed that I was under the legal limit - otherwise I wouldn't have driven, so in that sense I feel vindicated but, having said that, I won't be drinking and driving again - as a public representative, I must set an example and that's what I intend to do," he said.
Asked by The Irish Times if he had received any adverse reaction to his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving, Mr Ferris said that he hadn't suffered any significant criticism from people to his arrest and his admission that he had driven after consuming two pints and a glass of wine.
"I've got a lot of sympathy from people on the doorstep during the canvass - one or two of my own supporters were annoyed with me - they were disappointed in me, but it was a constructive anger and I respect their views."