Irish publican: Relax DUI laws in country

• Tweet

TRALEE, Ireland, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- An Irish publican says rural residents should be able to have a few drinks in the pub and drive home without getting arrested for drunk driving.

The council in County Kerry passed Danny Healy-Rae's resolution Tuesday to petition the Department of Justice for a relaxation of the law, The Irish Times reported. Healy-Rae, in addition to owning a pub, is a member of the council.

Under Healy-Rae's proposal, police would issue permits to rural residents allowing them to drive at low speeds on back roads in cars or small tractors after two or three drinks. He said many people who live alone in the country become isolated and suggested not being able to drink in the pub could even contribute to suicide.

"These vehicles wouldn't be exceeding 30 km per hour (18 miles per hour) on third class tertiary roads, cul-de-sacs that end up as a dead end," Healy-Rae said.

The resolution passed narrowly with most council members abstaining.