Compliance with travel restrictions ‘very high’, says gardaí

Gardaí says that compliance with Level 5 Covid-19 travel restrictions is “very high.”

Under Operation Fanacht, officers operate 132 checkpoints on major highways and about 1,000 checkpoints on minor and minor highways every day.

They say two incidents occurred on October 22 in which some people were suspected of violating travel restrictions.

Data from Ireland’s Transport Infrastructure shows that the number of private cars on the roads has fallen by nearly 50 percent compared to pre-Covid-19 levels in February 2020.

Gardaí says they are increasing the use of mobile data stations to detect serious traffic crimes “more efficiently and effectively” at checkpoints.

Examples of incidents detected in the last week include:

• Three cars seized from a checkpoint in Kildare that had an NCT rating of “dangerously failed”
• An unaccompanied “L” driver who had been driving with an expired learner’s permit for 15 years
• A driver stopped at a checkpoint to drive under the influence of alcohol. When he returned to the station, it was discovered that he had an outstanding European arrest warrant for a number of serious crimes.
• The driver of a van stopped at a checkpoint who was disqualified from driving, had no insurance or a license
• Three separate drivers arrested at a checkpoint in Meath for driving under the influence – two for cannabis and one for alcohol.
• Tractor driver arrested in Meath with taxes overdue for more than seven years
• Drunk Driving Arrests in Cavan and Monaghan
• Unaccompanied apprentice driver stopped at a checkpoint in Co Cork

Garda Deputy Commissioner John Twomey thanked the public for their cooperation with the restrictions.

“It’s clear from the volumes of traffic that people are heeding the advice to think before going on a trip about whether it’s really essential,” he said.

“We continue to visit and interact with retail facilities to ensure regulatory compliance.”

He added: “Gardaí across the country continue to support people who are vulnerable or feel isolated.

“We appreciate that this is a difficult time for people, but we must all continue to work together to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by following public health advice.”