Ireland star Shane Duffy charged with drink driving after crash days before promotion playoff

Ireland international Shane Duffy will appear in court in July to face drink-driving charges after an incident which occurred just days before Norwich City’s promotion playoff.

The Derry native was arrested in the village of Hethersett, just 10km outside Norwich, on Monday night after a collision involving two vehicles. And the 32-year-old Irish international is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on July 2 after the crash on Queens Road.

In a statement to the Irish Independent a Norfolk Police spokesperson said that officers “were called to Queens Road, Hethersett at 9.05pm, on Monday 6 May, following reports of a two-vehicle collision”.

“Emergency services attended the scene and a man, aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

“No one was injured.”

The scene of the collision is around two miles from where the footballer lives.

The police spokesperson added: “Shane Duffy aged 32 and of Norwich Common, Wymondham was subsequently charged with driving whilst unfit through drink, having provided an evidential breath sample of 102ugs. He is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on 2 July 2024.”

His arrest comes only days before the Canaries start their play-off campaign against Leeds United on Sunday and presents manager David Wagner with a selection headache as Duffy has been a key figure for the Canaries since he returned from an injury which kept him out of the March international window with Ireland.

Norwich City FC said the club “is aware of an incident involving one of its first team players.

“The club is in the process of considering the matter internally in accordance with its own disciplinary procedure.”

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