Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne appears in court over drink driving charge

Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála Malcolm Byrne appeared before Judge Tom McSharry at Dublin District Court on Monday, November 2, 2026. Irish Examiner, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times all reported that the politician faced a charge of drink driving. Gript reported that a hearing date for the case has been set for March 23, 2027. [1][2][3][4]

The 52-year-old politician resides at Ramsgate Village in Gorey, County Wexford, according to the Irish Examiner, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times. The Irish Examiner and the Irish Times reported that the single charge relates to an alleged incident on May 28 at Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin, within three hours of driving a 2025-registered car. [1][2][3]

In a previous statement cited by the Irish Examiner, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times, Byrne said gardaí arrested him at a mandatory checkpoint in the Dublin city centre. He stated that the arrest occurred while he was travelling from his hotel in Dublin to Dublin Airport. The Irish Examiner noted that the offence carries a potential fine of up to 5,000 euros or a maximum jail sentence of six months. [1][2][3]

Byrne serves as a TD for the Wicklow-Wexford constituency following the 2024 general election. He previously represented the Wexford constituency from 2019 to 2020, and served as a Senator on the Cultural and Educational Panel between 2020 and 2024. [6]