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A checkpoint on the N7 over the weekend. Sasko Lazarov via RollingNews.ie

Gardaí say they were forced to use new Covid-19 powers on seven occasions over Easter weekend

Those arrested face a fine of €2,500 or a jail sentence.

GARDAÍ HAVE SAID they were forced to use new powers given to them to tackle the coronavirus crisis on seven different occasions over the Easter weekend. 

New powers of arrest were given to officers on 8 April which mean they can detain someone who is not complying with garda orders.

Measures in place at present mean members of the public must stay at home, except to gather essential goods, to provide essential care, or to get a brief spell of exercise within 2km of their home. 

Those arrested could face a heavy fine of €2,500 or a jail sentence.

On 8 April, gardaí launched Operation Fanacht, which was to help ensure that members of the public complied with the guidelines set down by the HSE. 

Gardaí conducted 150 permanent checkpoints on major routes, over 500 shorter and mobile checkpoints, as well as a large number of high visibility patrols at tourist locations, natural beauty spots, and parks and beaches.

A garda spokesman said: “In a small number of cases, despite receiving a number of warnings, some individuals did not adhere to the guidelines and the regulations were used under the Health Act 1947- Section 31A- Temporary Restrictions (Covid 19) Regulations 2020 in seven cases.

“As per Garda policy in relation to the regulations, in all cases where arrests were made under the regulations, Garda members will consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions on the decision to charge individuals.”

Gardaí also said that, on 144 occasions, officers had initially stopped people for not adhering to Covid-19 guidelines but found people to be breaking the law in other ways. 

“In addition, there were 144 Covid-19 related incidents that started as potential breaches of the regulations, but during the incidents other offences were disclosed. As such, long-standing legislation for offences such as public order, assault, road traffic, and drugs was used instead. This included incidents involving house parties, gatherings beyond the family unit, and non-essential travel,” the spokesman added.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said, in general, there was a very high level of compliance with the public health guidelines over the Easter weekend.

He said: “I want to thank the public for that. This has helped saved lives. We now need people to continue that high level of compliance over the coming weeks. Working together we can reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“Regrettably, there was a small minority who did not adhere to the guidelines or other legislation and Garda members had no option but to use the regulations or other legislation. This demonstrates the need for the regulations not only from an enforcement point of view, but also to support those who are willingly living their lives in line with the public health guidelines.”

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    Mute Brian Casey
    Favourite Brian Casey
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    Jun 5th 2014, 5:24 PM

    Ah The Ard Ri. Welcome to Waterford !

    102
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    Mute Shane Walsh
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    Jun 5th 2014, 5:46 PM

    It’s a giant billboard now ain’t it?

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    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
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    Jun 6th 2014, 12:30 AM

    The hotel industry along with other private businesses need to join forces to fight the extortionate rates and leases. Then you will be in a position to survive.

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    Mute Pedro deluvio
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:02 PM

    Here’s why hotels in Ireland are doing shite!

    They’re over priced and have little to offer in standards, food or service!

    End of!

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    Mute Mark D
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:09 PM

    comments aren’t exactly accurate there.. Hotel industry has been growing steadily over the past 18 months and the Irish approach to customer service is famous worldwide.. No?

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    Mute El Pat Grande
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:25 PM

    Somewhere in between I think.

    The Malton is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in, end of.

    Stayed in the Gresham a couple of times and I’m not a fan. For those prices, you’d want better service.

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    Mute Pedro deluvio
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:25 PM

    Mark D

    Couldn’t have said it better myself!

    CORRECTAMUNDO!

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:49 PM

    I travel between Ireland and elsewhere in Europe fairly often and the one thing tourist mention a lot negatively is specifically the oversold Irish welcome.

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    Mute Edmund Dantes
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:46 PM

    I actually owned a Dublin Hotel for 10 years & I can tell you that there are many reasons why so many are in financial trouble.

    Many Hotels indeed are the creators of their own problems, however, you also have the enormous fall off in tourists from 2008 to 2012, the smoking ban, random breath testing, cheap booze in Supermarkets & Off-Licences, enormous fees for Late Licences, Excise Duty increases, Commercial Rates increases, Insurance Premium increases, high Water Rates, Energy price increases and so on all at the exact same time as Revenues were plumetting like a stone.

    Here’s a quick Economic analogy ! Think of it like a boxer in a ring ; if he gets hit with 1 big punch, he can probably get over it, 10 big punches over a long period of time, maybe he can survive it. BUT, he gets hits with 10 big punches one after another and he get’s knocked out. That’s what happened to the Hotel Industry !

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    Mute Thors Big Hammer
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    Jun 5th 2014, 6:22 PM

    Offer good deals and people will come.

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    Mute Jimmy Coughlan
    Favourite Jimmy Coughlan
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    Jun 5th 2014, 7:32 PM

    The day to day running costs of a hotel or restaurant.!!! Crazy money
    You can only offer a deal when your sure you can get people to spend in the hotel, but with the price of a pint and a glass of wine in dublin, it’s madness.

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    Mute Pedro deluvio
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    Jun 5th 2014, 8:11 PM

    Hi jimmy
    I get what your saying, I’m in the trade 25 years.

    We also travelled for years around the country before we had kids and after.

    It’s negative staff, under kept rooms, bars and amenities, lack of sincere welcomes….and thanks for that matter!

    Usually underage staff that have not been trained to do what they’re doing… Managers included.

    And stiff prices! Our hospitality sector has had little development since before the tiger.
    Our hoteliers need to travel to America to see what can be done with it’s depleting customer base!
    Swiftly.
    There are answers!

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    Mute Patrick O' Donoghue
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    Jun 6th 2014, 1:32 PM

    Service in the industry has fallen well behind no basic training all theory the day of good morning please and thanks and is everything ok are gone

    5
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