ENHANCED GARDA powers designed to help officers enforce Ireland’s strict coronavirus lockdown rules have become law in Ireland.
Emergency legislation passed in the Oireachtas last month have been signed into law ahead of Easter weekend.
The regulations have been introduced amid growing concerns that some members of the public could disregard the social distancing rules in place over the coming back holiday weekend.
The laws give garda the powers to issue penalties to anyone failing to comply with the current lockdown measures.
This include fines of up to €2,500 and, in the most serious cases, anywhere up to six months in prison.
These measures could be used to punish breaches and detain anyone refusing to self-isolate
Officers will be operating checkpoints nationwide along with patrols around parks and other key landmarks.
Under the official government lockdown orders, people must stay at home unless travelling to and from work in what is considered an essential service, attending a medical appointment or for other vital family reasons excluding social visits.
Exercise is permitted but it must be within two kilometres of the family home, while exercise with anyone outside of your household is forbidden.
Travel to Ireland’s offshore islands is limited to residents only, public is restricted to those buying food, medicine or travelling to an essential job.
Speaking to RTE on Tuesday, April 7, Ireland’s health minister Simon Harris said: "This evening myself and the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice (Charlie Flanagan) met with the Garda Commissioner (Drew Harris), the Attorney General (Seamus Woulfe) and we met the chief medical officer (Dr Tony Holohan) and this evening I will be signing regulations to give the gardai those powers.”
"Let me say this though, the Garda Commissioner was very clear in this regard, the level of compliance is very high, the Irish people are being super."
He added: "But it is important the gardai have these powers in their back pocket so if they do need enforcement powers they have them.
"I think that's what most people in this country would expect and want the gardai to have.
"They will continue their normal strategy of working with the people and assisting the communities but it is important that they have them there as a reserve in their back pocket should they be needed."
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