Tag Archives: Operation Fanacht

‘EXPECT to meet us anywhere,’ is the message from Clare Gardaí as they continue to enforce public health restrictions on travel. Following the return to Level 5, the policing plan for the division will now see three static checkpoints in Clare, and a number of roving, randomised checkpoints on roads across the county. “We will have checkpoints right across the division and you can expect to meet us anywhere,” said Superintendent John Galvin. “As well as three static checkpoints, we will be operating random, short-term checkpoints at a wide range of locations. The message is that if you are on out on the roads, we will be asking you about the purpose of your journey.” Superintendent Galvin noted that the approach taken to policing the 5km travel restrictions will be a “common sense” one. “We will be there to explain, advise and encourage,” he said. “People are entitled to travel to shop for essentials, for example, but they shouldn’t need …

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 …

A FILE is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after a man was arrested for failing to follow instructions to return home when  detected by Shannon Gardaí, last Thursday, at a checkpoint set up as part of Operation Fanacht.  The man was travelling with a passenger and told officers he was going to Kilkee beach. When he failed to heed the advice of Gardaí to turn around, he was arrested. The incident, according to Superintendent John Galvin was an isolated one, with arrests being a “last resort” in the enforcement of the Covid-19 travel restrictions.  Superintendent Galvin said that the Operation, which saw a number of permanent and rolling checkpoints operate across the country between Wednesday, April 8 and Monday, April 13, found a very high level of compliance in this county with the public health guidelines.  “We found that very, very few people travelled over the Easter Weekend, things were very low key and there …