Gardaí are preparing to penalise retailers that are selling non-essential items during the Level Five lockdown.
The measures are set to focus on retailers of all sizes ignore current regulations and remain open to sell non-essential items alongside essentials such as food, PPE or workwear.
Gardaí have been carrying out compliance checks nationwide and shared images of operations on social media. A statement on Twitter said: “As part of our National Operation An Garda Síochána is checking compliance with essential retail. Retail services under Level 5 are subject to Penal Regulations, they can and are being enforced.”
They added: “An Garda Síochána continues to use 4Es, Engage, Explain, Encourage, and last Enforce.”