Gardaí arrested a jeep driver towing a trailer following the detection of multiple road traffic-related offences.
Members from Unit B Carlow conducted an Operation Fanacht checkpoint on the Dublin Road, Carlow.
Officers stopped a vehicle that had no NCT or road tax since 2015. The jeep was towing a trailer with no lighting or registration, according to An Garda Síochána.
The driver was over 100km from home, in breach of the current Covid-19 5km travel restriction, as “it wasn’t an essential journey”, Gardaí stated.
Jeep driver arrested
“Driver was in possession of a controlled substance and was under the influence of an intoxicant, testing positive for cannabis.” said a spokesperson for An Garda Síochana Kilkenny/Carlow.
“Driver arrested, and car and trailer seized. Prosecution to follow for numerous road traffic offences as well as a fine on-the-spot of €100 for breach of Covid-19 regulations.”
€100 Fixed Charge Notice
From Monday, January 11st, members of An Garda Síochána can prosecute breaches of travel restrictions under Covid-19 regulations by means of Fixed Charge Notice.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020, in accordance with the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act, 2020 are currently in force.
Regulation 4 states ‘an applicable person shall not leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse’. This is a penal regulation and is enforceable.
In a statement, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting Public Health Regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.”
From yesterday, where breaches of the travel regulations are detected, and a person does not comply with a direction of An Garda Síochána, a prosecution now can be commenced by means of a €100 Fixed Charge Notice.
Where more appropriate, An Garda Síochána may seek a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office.
Deputy Commissioner, John Twomey, Policing and Security, said, “I appeal to every person without a reasonable excuse for travel – stay at home, this is your duty as a citizen and will save lives and support our front line services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and my Garda colleagues at this time.”
Previous enforcement activity
As highlighted by An Garda Síochána, some court outcomes of previous Garda enforcement activity are highlighted below:
- Co. Cavan, male, found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, €150 fine
- Co. Kildare, male, found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, €250 fine following an appeal
- Co. Sligo, 2 males found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, Both €300 fine
- Co Dublin, male in breach of Covid regulations directed to return home, observed still in breach of regulations at the same location 2 hours later, €350 fine
- Co. Tipperary, male, found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, €400 fine
- Co. Dublin, male, found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 30 days imprisonment
- Co. Leitrim, male, found in breach of travel restrictions without reasonable excuse, 2 months’ imprisonment.
