Gardaí Ramp Up Policing of Covid Travel Restrictions

GARDAÍ are appealing for continued public compliance with travel restrictions as part of Covid-19 public health guidelines.

This week saw a ramped up presence of Gardaí on arterial routes across the country, including those into West and North Clare. Alongside permanent checkpoints which had been in place since Easter, Gardaí have increased the presence of rolling check-points as Operation Fanacht intensified between Tuesday last until the end of the May Bank Holiday. The operation will also see Gardaí conduct high visibility patrols at major tourist locations, parks and natural beauty spots. At any one time, there will be over 2,500 Gardaí involved in checkpoints or high visibility patrolling.

Clare Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Tríona Brooks said people were once again being asked to say in their primary residence and not to travel to holiday homes. “If you are found to be travelling to a holiday home or secondary residence you will be turned back,” she said. “In particular, we would ask people who are thinking of travelling to parks, beaches or natural beauty spots outside of the 2km limit not to do so. The operation will also see Gardaí patrol these areas to ensure compliance with travel restrictions.”

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said the force was hopeful that people would continue to comply: “I want to thank the public for their co-operation so far. We know it has not been easy and has required significant sacrifices. We need this compliance to continue.”