12 October 2012 Last updated at 12:42 ET <\/p>\n
A legal challenge to the retention of DNA samples by police in Northern Ireland could have repercussions across Europe, Belfast High Court has heard. <\/p>\n
The test case has been brought by convicted drink driver Fergus Gaughran. <\/p>\n
His lawyers argued DNA profiles and fingerprints of those found guilty of lesser offences should not be retained. <\/p>\n
They want a European ruling which found it was unlawful to hold samples from people arrested but later acquitted to be extended to cases like Gaughran's. <\/p>\n
Our case is that the collection of this information and the indefinite retention on the police computer systems is unlawful <\/p>\n
Newry-based solicitor Paul Fitzsimons predicted potentially huge consequences if the judicial review challenge succeeds. <\/p>\n
He said: \"If there is a judgment upholding our client's position it could lead to the destruction of vast amounts of police records built up in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.\" <\/p>\n
Mr Fitzsimons issued legal proceedings on behalf of Gaughran, who was stopped at a police checkpoint in Camlough, County Armagh three years ago. <\/p>\n
Gaughran failed a breath test and was subsequently convicted and disqualified from driving for a year. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Originally posted here: 12 October 2012 Last updated at 12:42 ET A legal challenge to the retention of DNA samples by police in Northern Ireland could have repercussions across Europe, Belfast High Court has heard. Continue reading
\nChallenge to European DNA records<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"