Gardaí to restart Covid pub checks

Under Level 3, people are being encouraged not to travel out of their county unless for essential reasons.

Following the Government’s decision to move the country to Level 3 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19, An Garda Síochána will re-commence checking pubs up and down the country for compliance with public health measures.

'Operation Fanacht' will come into force from midnight tonight 6 October 2020.

Under Level 3, people are being encouraged not to travel out of their county unless for essential reasons.

In support of this announcement there will be high visibility patrolling by Garda members across the country with the focus of this activity continuing to be encouraging people to adhere to national public health measures.

It will involve 132 large-scale checkpoints a day on main arterial routes around the country in addition to thousands of mobile checkpoints on secondary routes in towns and villages a week.

Speaking today, Commissioner Drew Harris said: “An Garda Síochána’s priority is keeping people safe. This will be a major policing operation across the country with high visibility of Garda members to support public health measures.

“An Garda Síochána is encouraging people not to travel out of their county unless it is for essential purposes.

“We want to advise people that will be conducting major checkpoints on main routes and travelling by road from tomorrow will be different from travelling today. People using the roads are likely to face delays.”

Since the start of the pandemic, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing approach based on its tradition of consent.

Comm Harris said: “We have seen compliance by the vast majority of the public with this approach. Independent surveys have also found significant public support for it. We will continue to police in this way.

“We have also had a strong focus on the protecting and supporting the vulnerable. That will continue as well. If you need our help, please contact your local Garda station.

“As an organisation rooted in the community, An Garda Síochána understands the difficulties these measures place on everybody. More than ever, we all need to work together and adhere to public health guidelines and regulations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”