Operation Fanacht has been relaunched.
Gardaí have officially launched the latest iteration of Operation Fanacht, a ramp up of checkpoints to facilitate public health measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
During the first flush of the virus, the operation was undertaken on a national level. However, following the localised lockdown of Kildare, Laois and Offaly, the latest operation will only apply to those three counties.
Residents of those counties are encouraged not to leave their county for any non-essential reason, and old restrictions have been reinstated for public activities such as restaurants and sports. People from outside the three counties have been advised not to travel to the affected counties.
Gardaí say there will be a "high level of visibility" of Gardaí in the three counties, with Gardaí from nine surrounding counties relocated to support the operation. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until 23 August.
Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: "Throughout the country, it is vital that people adhere to the public health regulations in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
"This operation is designed to support the restrictions that are being implemented locally in these three counties in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is vital that we continue to work to minimise the risk to ourselves, our families and our local communities.
"We would appeal to all those living in these counties to stay and home and not undertake unnecessary journeys in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19."
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána noted that there is "There is no enforcement element to Operation Fanacht" and that Gardaí are instructed to "engaged, educate and encourage."
