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This week several hundred tickets were issued to people who participated in parties or attended parties around St. Patrick’s Day.
n Garda Síochána imposed 268 fines in total on those who violated the Covid-19 guidelines on indoor gatherings.
From March 11 to March 18, 46 fines of € 500 were issued to house party organizers and € 222,150 of fines were issued to attendees.
An analysis of Garda statistics also shows that last week, Waterford, Cork and Louth were the worst offenders in terms of fines for Covid-19 violations.
Waterford was the biggest black spot for fines during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, with 559 tickets issued per 100,000 residents.
The second highest number of recorded violations was in Cork, where Gardaí imposed 252 fines, the equivalent of 464 per 100,000 inhabitants. Louth ranks third at 450 per 100,000.
Limerick remains the area that has received the most fines per capita since the start of the pandemic, including figures from last week.
It has received 571 fines for every 100,000 inhabitants. The second highest number of overall violations was recorded in Cork with 465 per 100,000 residents and Waterford is the third highest with 413 per 100,000 residents.
Last week, 445 tickets were issued in Roscommon / Longford, 414 in Cavan / Monaghan and 327 tickets in Dublin.
The lowest number of tickets issued last week was in Wicklow with 12 tickets, which equates to 84 per 100,000 residents.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Gardaí has issued 15,358 fines for Covid-19 across the country.
This includes fines of € 636,500 for non-essential trips to airports or ports, 269 € 80 fines for failing to cover their faces, and € 262 fines of € 100 for non-essential trips by people who do not habitually reside in the state.
Three-quarters of all offenders are male and one-quarter female. More than half of the people who have received a fine for Covid-19 are between 18 and 25 years old.
Of the offenders, 52 percent are in the 18-25 age group, 25 percent are between 26 and 35 years old, 13 percent are between 36 and 45 years old, 6 percent are between 45 and 56 years old, 3 percent are percent are between 56 and 65 years old and 1 percent are over 65 years old.
So far only 33% of the fines have been paid, but those affected have 28 days to settle the bill or file an appeal.
Anyone who does not pay their fine within 28 days will be summoned to a court hearing where they can face a fine of € 1,000 or imprisonment. Gardaí also believes that the possibility of the media reporting on court hearings will act as a deterrent for people who might consider not paying.
Despite the latest figures, Garda Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said the “vast majority” of people are complying with public health regulations.
“Thank you and please keep it up,” he said.
“His contribution is appreciated by Gardaí across the country. We know it is difficult and has meant significant sacrifices, but he is helping to save lives and protect those on the front lines.”
“The best way to stay safe this weekend is to stay home. If you are going out, stay within 5 km, limit your contacts with other people, maintain social distancing and wash your hands regularly. “
Online editors
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