Gardai take two cars off one motorist in the same week after checkpoint rule breaks

Gardai were forced to take two separate cars off the same motorist in the space of a week after they were stopped at a Covid checkpoint.

Covid checkpoints have been ramped up in recent weeks as part of Operation Fanacht in a bid to enforce Level Five Covid restrictions.

Motorists across the country have been cautioned that they could face being stopped at checkpoints where they can either be quizzed on whether they are breach of Covid travel rules.

However Gardai may also carry out their usual road checks at these checkpoints.

And one driver had a car taken off them last week, twice.

Garda checkpoints are becoming an increasingly common sight across the country (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

Kingscourt Gardai stopped a car on Saturday in the Cootehill area of Cavan being driven by an unaccompanied learner permit holder.

The driver admitted driving without insurance and had only bought the car on that day. The car was detained and taken off the road.

Last Thursday the same driver had another car detained in similar circumstances as again he was driving without insurance.

He was also in breach of Covid restrictions and was slapped with an on the spot fine.

A Garda spokesman said: "Today's journey was non essential and the driver received Fixed Payment Notices."