Gardaí can now hand out on-the-spot fines of €100 to people who are found travelling outside their 5km Covid travel limit and refuse to turn back.
The measure came into force on Monday. Now, those found in breach of Level 5 safety regulations without a reasonable excuse for travel will be issued with a fixed charge penalty notice which they will have to pay within 28 days.
In other cases, gardaí may take directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Two people in Ireland have been handed jail time for breaching travel restrictions without a reasonable excuse, a man from Dublin received 30 days in prison while another man in Leitrim was jailed for two months.
Other notable fines issued as part of Garda enforcement activity include a €400 fine for a man in Tipperary and a €350 fine for man in Dublin who breached Covid Regulations and was directed to return home but was observed still in breach of regulations at same location two hours later.
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, Policing and Security said, “An Garda Síochána continues to see significant compliance by the public with Public Health Regulations, however we also continue to see some activity which is in contravention of these regulations introduced to stop the current spread of Covid-19 and protect our communities. 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.”
