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Large numbers of Garda checkpoints on main arterial and smaller roads have been set up across the country.<\/p>\nLarge numbers of Garda checkpoints on main arterial and smaller roads have been set up across the country.<\/p>\n
Garda\u00ed have been deployed at checkpoints nationwide to prevent people from travelling across the country for the May bank holiday weekend.<\/p>\n
Operation Fanacht will see an extensive network of checkpoints established across the country.<\/p>\n
Garda\u00ed will also be patrolling tourists hotspots, major parks and walking routes in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
The operation, which started today, runs until the end of the May bank holiday weekend on Monday night.<\/p>\n
It will involve checkpoints on many main routes, and thousands of mobile checkpoints on secondary routes and in towns and villages.<\/p>\n
The operation will also see gardai conduct high-visibility patrols at major tourist locations, parks and beauty spots.<\/p>\n
At any one time, there will be more than 2,500 gardai involved in checkpoints or high-visibility patrolling.<\/p>\n
There will also be patrols near the border as previously seen around the Easter holidays.<\/p>\n
Concerns have been raised about visitors from Northern Ireland travelling south of the border as the restrictions do not apply to people visiting the State.<\/p>\n
Day-trippers from Northern Ireland cannot be arrested because of the legal loophole.<\/p>\n
Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey said yesterday: \u201cWhen we last ran Operation Fanacht there was a high level of compliance from the public. It is vital that we see that again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank the public for their co-operation so far. We know it has not been easy and has required significant sacrifices.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need this compliance to continue. This is a critical week for the country. If we all work together, we can help save the lives of our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n