Two-fold increase in Covid fines issued locally
In enforcing these regulations, Gardaí have been using the 4Es approach – engaging, explaining, and encouraging with enforcement a last resort.
The number of fines issued to persons breaching Covid-19 rules in Cavan-Monaghan has more than doubled over the past month.
According to the latest information available, the number of fines recorded on the fixed penalty system up to March 25, 2021, in the Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division now stands at 536.
That's a 140% increase from the 223 fines recorded as of February 18 last.
An Garda Síochána continues to find groups gathering (house parties, social gatherings, exercise etc.) in breach of current regulations. These are not just breaches of regulations but, they say, a risk to the individuals involved, their families and loved ones. It also continues to put everybody’s health as well as the country's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic at risk.
As of March 25, To date, An Garda Síochána has issued approximately 16,834 Covid-19 fines across the range of all COVID-19 breaches, including over 2,700 fines to people attending or organising house parties.
There have been 12,336 €100 fines issued for non-essential travel, and 721 €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports. The total number of €100 and €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports is 1096.
There have been 554 €500 fines for organising a house party and 2,159 €150 fines for attending a house party, 293 fines of €80 each for not wearing a face covering, and 313 fines of €100 for non-essential travel by persons not ordinarily resident in the State.
An Garda Síochána say officers be continuing nationwide checkpoints and high visibility patrols at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across the country this weekend in support of public health regulations.
Illegal parking at such locations can result in cars being towed and impounded. All adults in a car found to be undertaking a non-essential journey may be liable for a €100 fine each.
An Garda Síochána is again advising the public of the need to plan their activities over the weekend to take account that people are only allowed to exercise within 5km of their home. People are reminded that the 5km limit includes the distance travelled from their home to a location for exercise.
In enforcing these regulations, Gardaí have been using the 4Es approach – engaging, explaining, and encouraging with enforcement a last resort.
An Garda Síochána continues to remind persons subject to domestic violence - Travel restrictions DO NOT APPLY in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person.