Garda checkpoints will remain permanently at two locations
By Aimee Walsh
GARDA checkpoints in two local areas are to remain permanently in place for the rest of level five lockdown.
The checkpoint on the Firhouse road and one on the outer-link road in Lucan that have been operating are to remain in place as long as the Country is in level five restrictions with the 5km rule.
A Garda checkpoint on the Firhouse Road on Tuesday (February 2)
Councillor Emma Murphy for Firhouse-Bohernabreena told The Echo: “The checkpoint on the Firhouse road is a stable checkpoint. It will be there right through level five restrictions. It has given increased visibility in the locality, and they have had some success in stopping people that are outside their area.
When asked if these ‘permanent’ checkpoints will deter people away and stop people breaking the 5km limit, Cllr Murphy added: “You are always going to get people that will circumvent checkpoints.
“I suppose where it is on the Firhouse road, if you did try to do a U-turn it is very visible. The Gardai are obviously doing it for a purpose and for a reason and we trust the Gardai to manage that component.
“It gives a small sense of security, querying where people are going and why they are going probably reiterates to us that we are in lockdown, we are in a pandemic. We are trying to decrease numbers in terms of cases and get people back to work and get us back to some sense of normality”.
A checkpoint on the Outer Link Road in Lucan
Since January 11, anyone found undertaking non-essential journeys will be fined €100. Since this date, over 2,400 fines have been issued by Gardai to people who left their homes without a reasonable excuse.
Gardai are advising the public of the need to plan their activities over the weekend to take account that people are only allowed exercise within 5k of their home. People are reminded that the 5km limit includes the distance travelled from their home to a location.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: “The vast majority of people are continuing to play their part in tackling the spread of Covid-19. They are staying home, only making essential journeys, and exercising within 5km of their homes. We appreciate the sacrifices they are making and we ask them to keep it up.”
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