Gardaí stop nine intoxicated drivers over Christmas period
Despite An Garda Síochána flagging their dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the festive period, a total of nine intoxicated drivers were arrested in Cavan over the Christmas period.
The detections were made on local roads between December 20-28.
An Garda Síochána nationally is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the festive period, which began on December 1 and will continue until January 5, 2026.
This year’s Christmas and New Year road safety appeal has focused on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
An Garda Síochána is urging all road users to be safe, especially with an increase in traffic on the country's roads and the potential risk of fatal or serious injury road traffic collisions increasing. It resulted in the detection of 1038 drivers travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit, with almost than a third (377) pulled over by gardaí.
Safety camera zones
Meanwhile Gardaí have announced that 390 new safety camera zones will become operational from January 1. This brings the total number of safety camera zones nationwide to 1,901, with eight of those new zones to be located in Cavan, and 12 additional spread across Monaghan.
Monaghan is also set to get two Community Request Safety Camera Zones - locations, highlighted within Garda Divisions arising from local concerns or observations made in relation to speeding activity on certain roads.
Road deaths
To date in 2025, there have been 189 road deaths. Tragically, this is the highest level of road deaths on Irish roads in over a decade, with two deaths occurring in Cavan and four in Monaghan over the past 12 months - the most recent being that of mum of two Emma Mackarel (née McClean) from Clones. She died when her car was involved in a collision with a lorry on the N2 at Annalitten near Castleblayney a week before Christmas, December 18. When she was travelling she had Christmas gifts in the boot of her car.
The driver of the truck has since appeared charged and has appeared in court.
Her death follows that of Benedict Murphy (60s), a pedestrian struck by a lorry in Monaghan Town less than a week before, December 13.
A total 175 people were killed on Irish roads last year.
The new safety cameras will be operational in areas where there is a history of speed-related collisions known as speed enforcement zones.