A DRIVER and two passengers have received perhaps the most bizarre Covid fines of the year so far after being caught breaching travel restrictions by gardaí.
Officers were flabbergasted to hear where their car had come from, and even more bemused when they heard the reason for the impromptu trip.
It turns out they'd left their home in Co. Meath and driven a whopping 80km to pick up a few burgers from a takeaway in Dublin.
They were stopped at a routine checkpoint at Sean Moore Road in Ringsend, Co. Dublin.
All three occupants of the car received a €100 fine for a breach of public health regulations.
The rules state that people must stay within 5km of their home, unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'.
Needless to say, going on burger run isn't one.
Earlier this month, gardaí were given new powers to hand out on-the-spot fines for anyone found to be in breach of lockdown rules.
The latest figures show that they issued 29 fixed penalty notices between January 11 and January 13 for travel restriction breaches alone.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security John Twomey said: "Our health service is under pressure. Deaths from Covid-19 are rising. ICU admissions are increasing.
"The best way for people to protect and honour front-line workers is to stay at home. The best way for people to protect their loved ones, their neighbours, and their communities is to stay at home," he added.
"Please only make essential journeys. Exercise within 5km of your home. Minimise the amount of people you meet. Wear a face mask. Maintain social distance. Wash your hands.
"If you visit somewhere to exercise and it is crowded then leave. This will all help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and protect lives."
