Gardaí involved in 200kmph lockdown chase
In the week since their introduction between Monday, January 11-18, An Garda Síochána issued over 400 fines for non-essential travel.
A man has been arrested and charged after leading multiple garda units on a high-speed cross-country chase where the driver not only had no insurance, but was also in breach of the five kilometre Covid travel rule as his journey was non essential.
Its been reported that the pursuit last Sunday morning, January 17, saw the offending vehicle reach speeds in excess of 200 kmph along the the N3, before veering down narrow rural roads towards through Ballyjamesduff.
The driver, who had earlier turned back from an Operation Fanacht checkpoint in the Virginia area and in doing so almost caused a collision with another vehicle, was eventually intercepted by assisting garda units when it travelled on towards Virginia.
The driver was then arrested and taken to Bailieborough Garda Station where he was charged with a number of road traffic offences.
The driver's car was also seized.
Adding insult to injury, gardaí have confirmed that a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice will also issue for breach of the 5km travel restriction.
In the week since their introduction between Monday, January 11-18, An Garda Síochána issued over 400 fines for non-essential travel.
The vast majority of these fines – over 300 - were issued over the weekend for suspected breaches of the public health regulation relating to non-essential travel.
As of Friday evening (January 15), 74 fines for non-essential travel had been processed.
An Garda Síochána are reminding people that the 5km limit includes the distance travelled to a location to exercise.
A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said of the weekend incident: “This driver failed to stop as he had no insurance and was in breach of the 5km travel restriction as his journey was non essential. The car was seized and the driver has an early Court date. A Fixed Charge Penalty Notice will also issue for breach of the 5km travel restriction.”