Operation Open City will remain in place until Christmas Eve.
Today (Monday 2 December) is the first day of Operation Open City, which has over 150 new Garda recruits assigned to it.
The purpose of the operation is to “facilitate the movement of public transport and minimise traffic disruption to the general public, through high visibility and enforcement activity”, specifically in Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
Operation Open City will see Gardaí patrolling major arterial routes and link roads during core commuter hours and there will also be particular focus on traffic management issues around car parks at major shopping areas.
Of the 197 newly attested Gardaí who graduated on Friday 29 November, 153 of them have been assigned to Operation Open City, with 89 assigned to the Dublin region, 32 to Cork City and 32 to Limerick City.
Those assigned to the operation will support Garda Roads Policing Units and local Garda patrols in order to help people get about their day’s business and enjoy the seasonal festivities.
The remaining 44 new recruits have been deployed to divisions on the border.
An Garda Síochána have also issued the following safety advice to the public for the Christmas season:
- Be careful when withdrawing money from cash machines and financial institutions.
- Mind your belongings when in crowded areas. Use a handbag or shoulder bag that can be held securely.
- Don’t leave bags or valuables visible inside a parked cars.
- Park your car in a controlled car park and retain the parking ticket on your person.
- Always lock your car securely when leaving it unattended, even for brief period.
- Report any incident to Gardaí, immediately.
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