Gardaí in Cork this morning discovered a motorist who made the almost three-hour journey from Meath to Cork, just for “the spin and to visit”.
At the checkpoint in the town of Fermoy, Gardaí found the driver, along with three passengers on non-essential travel, breaching the current government directives.
“Please remember the 2km radius and only essential travel,” Gardaí urged the public online.
On the streets of Cork, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Gardaí patrolling the city in squad cars, on bikes and on foot.
Whilst there are exceptions, most people seem to be complying with the new travel restrictions.
Legislation to allow the force to have new powers throughout the COVID-19 crisis have already been signed into law, but Gardai are not yet able to enforce them.
Officers are currently policing the streets without resorting to forcing people to go home, but they can advise people to return to the residences, especially if they are beyond the 2km limit with no good reason, such as needing to go to the shops.
At the moment, the public is not compelled to go home if they are asked to.
This car was stopped at that checkpoint in Fermoy. 4 occupants who had travelled from Meath for the spin and to visit. Please remember the 2km radius. Only essential travel. #StayAtHomeAndStaySafe #SocialDistancing #WashYourHands pic.twitter.com/fX0j5oBTr3
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 7, 2020
