Gardaí to begin handing out €100 fines for breach of Covid rules

From today (Monday, January 11) members of An Garda Síochána can prosecute breaches of Travel Restrictions under Covid-19 Regulations by means of Fixed Charge Notice.

Under new 'emergency measures in the public interest' gardaí can penalise people for leaving their place of residence "without reasonable excuse".

An Garda Síochána say their policy of a graduated policing response has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

From today, where breaches of the travel regulations are detected and a person does not comply with a direction of An Garda Síochána, a prosecution now can be commenced by means of a €100 Fixed Charge Notice. Where more appropriate, An Garda Síochána may seek a direction from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Speaking today Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, Policing and Security said, "An Garda Síochána continues to see significant compliance by the public with Public Health Regulations, however we also continue to see some activity which is in contravention of these regulations introduced to stop the current spread of Covid-19 and protect our communities. 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 front line services, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and my Garda colleagues at this time.”