Garda checkpoint this afternoon at Bridgend as officers check driver details and reason for travel
Gardai attached to a dedicated COVID-19 unit in Donegal have reported an increase in cross-border traffic this morning and indeed over the course of the past few days with vehicles coming from Derry.
They have already turned back a number of cars from the Derry side of the border today.
A checkpoint has been mounted today at Bridgend on the Donegal side of the Derry border.
Cars are being stopped, drivers details are being checked and some vehicles are being turned back as gardai believed their reason for travel was not necessary.
Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says that if people are currently staying in holiday homes that is now considered their place of residence.
The Garda Commissioner was speaking to outline the measures of Operation Fanacht – a major policing operation that will see more than 2,500 Gardaí on duty at checkpoints at any one time across the country.
Commissioner Harris urged people to only move if their need to travel is ‘essential’.
“If your movement is not essential, you will be asked to return to your place of residence,” he said.
“This is a road safety initiative, set against the context of the health of the nation and all of us playing out part, acting against Covid-19.”
Last night, the Republic’s Minister for Health Simon Harris signed new regulations giving the Gardaí new powers to enforce the law.
These remain in place only until midnight on Sunday. Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to €2,500 and up to six months in prison.
It comes as tensions increase among people locally who are concerned about the arrival of holiday-makers over the Easter period.
In recent days there have been numerous reports of people traveling from cross the border in the North to holiday homes in Donegal.
Commissioner Harris said: “If you have a temporary residence, that is also a place of residence.
“If you are thinking of traveling there, it is not an essential trip. We will be able to turn you back.”
The Commissioner said that those who are staying in holiday homes now should not leave during the current restrictions.
A minority, he said, are breaching the regulations, with Gardaí noting that they had also witnessed cyclists going further than 2km from their home – something he said had to cease.
“That is top stop – you are to exercise within 2km of your home only,” he said.
Commissioner Harris said Gardaí would be out to curb non-essential travel and house parties. He said that ‘enforcement’ was seen as being ‘at the far end of engagement’
“We are a community based policing service and will apply the same tactic,” he said. “That is one of informing people, engaging and persuading them. Enforcement is at the very end of non-compliance.
“I expect that we will see very few requirements to enforce.
“I don’t expect much conflict. There is a great societal pressure to abide by the regulation.
“We don’t see it as a situation of conflict. We see it as working together and acting together to minimise the spread of Covid 19.”
So the advice this Easter is clear: stay at home, stay safe and save lives.
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