…or so it would seem from the complete lack of law enforcement over the busiest weekend in the year. In the few days leading up to the bank holiday weekend, there were countless warnings issued on local and national radio, TV and newspapers about the impending doom of countless roadblocks, checkpoints and hugely sophisticated means of catching those who choose to drink and drive.

Where did this vast operation take place? Was it centered locally in the Wicklow mountains? Somewhere north of Letterkenny? Was it even in Ireland? Due to some manic photo sessions over the weekend I found myself on the roads quite a bit at various times of the day & night. The only thing I noticed about “Operation Surround” was the complete lack of it.

With no great pride in the state of the country I feel safe in saying I could have had my fill of pints in the city on Friday evening and gotten home eventually without being stopped by so much as a wandering hobo. Of course I didn’t, that would be just stupid. I had great notions of there being checkpoints setup on many of the major routes and come Tuesday morning fantastic news of hundreds of drunk drivers prosecuted. I think I need not bite my tongue until tomorrow when I say that statistics can be made up to prove anything. No doubt some Garda spokesman will appear on the six o’ clock news tomorrow spouting figures of X amount of drunk drivers were stopped and breathalised over the weekend. I’m willing to bet that 0 of that X number were stopped anywhere in the south Cork county area.

Over the weekend I saw no less than 3 seperate accidents on the roads. Wether or not any of them were caused by drinking I obviously don’t know, but I mean 3 accidents in 3 days is a bit much. Is my desensitised nature wearing off? I think not. It appears this country and it’s officials are getting more complacent (hardly news at this stage). Is natural selection a good way to allow the drink drivers to wipe themselves out? It seems that’s what the Gardai have resorted to. “Operation Surround” my arse!