ABSTRACT
It should be noted that, where the defendant deliberately becomes intoxicated with the intention of giving himself ‘Dutch courage’ in order to commit an offence, the defence will not be allowed (AG for Northern Ireland v Gallagher (1963)). Intoxication other than by alcohol or ‘dangerous’ drugs Intoxication, negating mens rea, resulting from the voluntary consumption of ‘non-dangerous’ drugs will constitute a defence not only in relation to crimes of specific intent, but also in relation to those of basic intent, provided the defendant has not been reckless in consuming them (R v Bailey (1983); R v Hardie (1984)).
