Sharon Shannon's drink-driving charge overturned

Sharon Shannon says she wants to "get on with my life and music" after her conviction for drink-driving was overturned by the Galway circuit court.

Shannon was branded a liar and banned for two years at her original hearing in February when a judge refused to accept that somebody else had been driving her car three years ago when it crashed into a parked vehicle.

The Counsel for the State admitted this week, though, that the summons issued to her was out of date by one day and thusly invalid.

"I am delighted with today’s decision by the court to grant my appeal," Shannon said afterwards. "It has been a very stressful time for me personally and for all of my friends involved with this case and it is a welcome relief that it has now come to a satisfactory end.

"While I did not get the opportunity today to state my case, I would like to point out that I was telling the truth when I told the court I was not driving the car at the time of the accident.
It is important for me to restore my personal integrity and character in the eyes of the public. I want people to know that I hold the truth in the highest regard.

"I am glad this personal ordeal is over," she concludes, "and I thank my legal team, my friends and the many hundreds of people from around the country who contacted me to offer support."

Shannon's ordeal may be over, but it's only just starting for Irish cabaret legend Brendan Shine who was stopped and charged with drink-driving this week in London.