The low number of drink driving convictions in Clare have been described as "disappointing" by the local authority's Road Safety Officer.
Figures released by the Department of Justice show only 43 per cent of cases before the courts since January 2013 have resulted in convictions.
Of the 496 drink-driving cases before the courts in Clare over the past two and a half years, only 218 of them, or 43 per cent, resulted in convictions.
According to figures released by the Department of Justice, the number of convictions in the county is broadly in line with the national average of 40 per cent, although that figure dropped to 28 in the first five months of this year.
A road traffic law specialist says solicitors have as many as 60 technicalities to use to escape drink driving convictions.
Evan O’Dwyer of O’Dwyer Solicitors says Gardaí have a process of 50 or 60 hurdles to get through before a conviction can be successful.
He says that makes it simple for experienced defence solicitors to challenge cases.
The Road Safety Officer with Clare County Council has described the figures relating to Clare as "disappointing".
Barry Keating says shortcoming within the legal system are being addressed and he hopes that will result in a higher rate of convictions.
