Garda priority is keeping people safe ; Harris

By Dan Walsh

Following the Government’s decision to move the country to Level 3 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19, An Garda Síochána has recommenced Operation Fanacht, as a nationwide policing operation focused on supporting public compliance with public health measures.

In support of this announcement there will be high visibility patrolling by Garda members across the country with the focus of this activity continuing to be encouraging people to adhere to national public health measures.

It will involve 132 large-scale checkpoints a day on main arterial routes around the country in addition to thousands of mobile checkpoints on secondary routes in towns and villages a week.

Commissioner Drew Harris said: “An Garda Síochána’s priority is keeping people safe. This will be a major policing operation across the country with high visibility of Garda members to support public health measures. 

“An Garda Síochána is encouraging people not to travel out of their county unless it is for essential purposes.

“Since the start of the pandemic, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing approach based on its tradition of consent. We have seen compliance by most of the public with this approach. Independent surveys have also found significant public support for it. We will continue to police in this way.