Gardaí begin major high visibility policing operation nationwide

An Garda Síochána has begun a major high visibility policing operation nationwide to coincide with the Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions that came into effect over night.

The 132 static checkpoints on motorways introduced earlier this month as part of Operation Fanacht will remain. These will be supplemented by hundreds of rolling checkpoints on main and secondary roads, Gardaí say.

There will also be over 2,500 Gardaí on duty at any one time to ensure compliance with the public health guidelines.

According to data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the volume of private cars on major routes nationally has decreased by 14.5 per cent following the introduction of Operation Fanacht when compared with traffic levels during the week before the Operation commencing.

Speaking today, Commissioner Drew Harris said: “There was very good compliance by the public with the travel restrictions when they were in place before. It is vital that we see that high level of compliance again this time. The public health advice is clear. This will help save lives.

“In particular, we would ask people to think about their journeys and not exercise or travel outside the 5km limit unless it meets the essential criteria.”