Almost 350 people have been arrested for drink driving so far in December.

The Gardaí have re-launched their Christmas road safety campaign in the wake of the high number of arrests.

There will be a large garda presence on the roads over the holidays.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Michael Finn said: “In the first 2 weeks of this anti drink driving campaign, I regret to say that 341 drivers failed to heed the repeated road safety messages that have been widely broadcast across every available media platform in relation to drinking and driving.

“This represents 89 drivers more than the same period for last year’s campaign, but more importantly, 89 more high risk drivers taken off the road before a potential tragedy could occur.

“That I do not however, regret. I appeal again to every driver thinking of taking a chance with their life or someone else’s. Don’t do it – never, ever drink and drive”.”