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The latest figures from Garda show that only two people face potential prosecution for violating travel restrictions since the Level 5 lock was introduced.
Since Level 5 was introduced on October 22, there have been 132 checkpoints on major roads and approximately 1,000 checkpoints on minor and minor roads per day.
There have only been two incidents where people were suspected of violating travel restrictions and files were sent to the DPP for possible charges to be filed.
Traffic volumes have fallen by around 50% since the last restriction took effect.
There has been a time when an incident of not wearing a face mask resulted in a file being sent to the DPP.
In total, there have only been eight incidents of face mask breach criminally investigated so far.
No one has been caught for failing to provide contact tracing details on aircraft landing forms since last Wednesday, so the total number of violations in relation to this restriction remains at three.
There have been six incidents in which business premises continued with suspected violations after initial warnings.
In each of these cases, a file will be sent to the DPP.
However, the gardaí says the vast majority of retailers are compliant, and ongoing compliance will be verified with follow-up inspections.
Other non-Covid crimes have also been discovered during roadblocks.
In total, 71 crimes have been registered, mainly traffic and drug-related.
Three different drivers were arrested at a checkpoint in Meath for driving under the influence. Two were suspected of using cannabis and one was believed to be drunk.
There were three more arrests for drunk driving in Cavan and one in Monaghan in connection with cocaine.
Three cars seized from a checkpoint in Kildare had an NCT classification of “dangerous failed” and no repairs had been made.
An unaccompanied L-license plate driver, who had been driving with an expired learner’s permit for 15 years, also had a car impounded.
This was one of six cars seized from unaccompanied learner drivers at the Kildare checkpoint.
Another driver was stopped at a checkpoint on the N7 road for driving while intoxicated.
When he returned to the station, it was revealed that he had an outstanding European arrest warrant for a number of serious crimes.
There was also a pickup truck driver who was stopped at a checkpoint who was disqualified from driving and did not have insurance or a driver’s license.
A tractor driver, detained in Meath, was found to have no taxes, with the disc expiring for more than seven years.
A learner driver who was driving unaccompanied was also stopped at a checkpoint in Cork and his car was impounded. A fixed charge penalty notice will follow.
Gardaí believes that there are early indications that some categories of crime, such as theft, have decreased since the introduction of the Level 5 restrictions.
Other crimes, such as drug-related crimes, remain at similar levels.
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