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Three Munster counties have been hit by the highest number of fines for violations of Covid-19 regulations, the Irish Independent can reveal.
More than a quarter of all fines imposed on members of the public have been issued in Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
The Gardaí has fined some 13,600 people between 100 and 500 euros each for a series of infractions that include going beyond 5 km from their home without a valid reason and organizing house parties. The fines amount to almost 1.8 million euros. Half of those fined are 25 years old or younger and three-quarters are men.
An analysis of Garda statistics shows that the number of tickets issued in Co Limerick as of Thursday March 11 was 530 per 100,000 residents. Limerick City made headlines last week after videos of a large street party surfaced..
The second highest number of recorded violations was in Cork, where gardaí issued 2,277 fines, the equivalent of 419 per 100,000 inhabitants. Waterford ranks third at 358 per 100,000.
The lowest number of tickets issued to date was in Kildare, where officers only issued 120 tickets for every 100,000.
Garda Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said the “vast majority” of people are complying with public health regulations. But he added: “Unfortunately, despite constant public health advice, we still see people attending house parties and other large social gatherings. Going to such meetings puts you, your loved ones, and everyone else you come in contact with after contracting Covid-19. “
Gardaí says the number of fines issued per division will vary depending on a number of factors, including population size, geographic area covered, local economy, travel patterns and public services.
Across the country, they have issued 13,600 fines for Covid-19 to date, for a total of € 1,794,920. So far only 39% has 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 court hearings being informed by the The media will act as a deterrent for people who might consider not paying.
Young people are by far the worst offenders based on the number of fines; 53% of the fines were applied to people between 18 and 25 years old. Another 24 percent were in the 26-35 age group, 13 percent in the 36-45 age group, 6 percent in the 46-55 age cohort, 3 percent in the 46-55 age group. 56 to 65 age group and 1 percent in the 65 and older age group.
The Gardaí has imposed 420 fines of € 500 on people organizing parties, while 1,620 people have been fined € 100 for attending a party.
Gardaí warned the public that Covid-19 “does not take a break from house parties and social gatherings” in the wake of these statistics.
“Such gatherings put not only attendees at risk, but everyone they come in contact with after including loved ones, neighbors, colleagues, and the local community, and continue to put everyone’s health and safety at risk. recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic “.
Until Thursday 10,013 fines of € 100 have been issued for non-essential trips and 915 fines for non-essential trips to airports and ports. Of these, 538 were a € 500 fine.
144 fines of € 100 have also been issued to persons who do not normally reside in Ireland for non-essential travel reasons. As of yesterday, 244 fines of € 80 were issued to people for not wearing a mask.
Irish independent
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