Garda with strict measures; people who do not comply with travel restrictions will have to pay spot fines

DUBLIN: Gardai can now take strict legal action, including spot fine, against those who do not comply with the COVID-19 travel restrictions. Garda will impose a fine of €100 to people who violate the 5 km travel limit and refuse to turn back. The Gardai has been allowed to prosecute Level 5 travel restrictions with a fixed charge notice since yesterday.

The Garda Headquarters said they will prosecute those who violate travel rules and do not follow instructions from officials. An on-the-spot fine of €100 will also be imposed. In other cases, instructions should be sought from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Fixed charge notices may be issued under emergency health act measures. Accordingly, people cannot leave their place of residence without a valid reason. However, Garda says enforcement will be the last resort.

Tourist places in and around the country are overflowing with tourists, violating the 5 km limit. This has increased the workload for the Gardai.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, who oversees the force’s 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 frontline services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and my Garda colleagues at this time.”

The commissioner also said that several people had already been prosecuted before the courts for breaching COVID-19 travel restrictions. He reminded public to avoid punishment without violating the law.