A group of rulebreaking Dubliners caught over 100km from home for a huge event over the weekend were fined by Gardai.
Officers stopped the men breaching lockdown restrictions a staggering 62 miles from the capital as they attended a sulky race in the midlands.
A joint operation between Offaly Road Policing Unit and Tullamore's Detective Branch nabbed numerous people travelling to attend the event outside Tullamore on Saturday morning.
Several others from Tipperary were also turned around along with the Dubs as Gardai issued fixed Covid charges for all spectators.
At a similar event last week, two men were arrested and 12 fines issued near Portlaoise.
Here is everything you need to know about the garda checkpoints currently in place throughout the country:
What they will ask you
- Where are you going? It's against new rules to travel more than 5km from your home, so the first question is where you are travelling too.
- Do you have a letter from work? All essential workers should have been given a letter from their employer which permits them to travel around - it's important you bring this with you if you have one.
- Where do you live? Gardai will ask where you are travelling from to check if you are within your radius, keep in mind they can check within less than a minute by your reg the address where the car is registered.
- Non-essential workers can only leave their 5km radius for essential reasons, such as caring for a sick or vulnerable loved one.
Exceptions
Gardai have reiterated that there are a number of exceptions to the 5km travel ban and have put increased emphasis on supports in place for domestic abuse victims.
They have added that the rules do not apply to victims and have mounted a major operation to support victims of abuse.
A spokesman said: "An Garda Síochána understands that the move to Level 5 may once again increase the anxiety and fear felt by those who may be victims of domestic abuse.
"An Garda Síochána is here to help. Victims of domestic abuse incidents, including coercive control, will continue to receive highest priority response for service.
Travel restrictions DO NOT APPLY in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person.
"If you are a victim of abuse or you know of a family member or friend who is a victim of such abuse, that information is important to us and I ask that you make contact with An Garda Síochána. If you require urgent assistance or support, please call 999 or 112, we are there to listen to help and to protect.
"If you are unable to make phone contact please approach any member of An Garda Síochána on duty, on patrol, on a checkpoint and look for assistance, we are here to help."
