Fines worth almost €1.5 million have been issued by gardaí over non-essential travel and house parties since the pandemic began.
They include 10,013 fines of €100 for non-essential travel - adding up to just over €1m. The total number of €100 and €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports is 915.
Gardaí continue to find people gathering in groups at house parties and have issued 2,040 fines to organisers and attendees for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
They have issued 420 fines of €500 each for organising a house party and 1,620 fines of €150 each for attending a house party. This adds up to a total of €453,000.
"Such gatherings put at risk not only those attending, but everyone they come into contact with after - including loved ones, neighbours, colleagues and local community," gardaí said in a statement.
To date, An Garda Síochána has issued approximately 13,600 Covid-19 fines across all breaches of health regulations.
These also include 244 fines of €80 given to people for not wearing a face covering and 144 fines of €100 for non-essential travel by persons not ordinarily resident in the State.
Gardaí said they were continuing high visibility patrols at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across the country this weekend.
They reminded people that they are only allowed to exercise within 5km of their home. This includes the distance travelled to a location for exercise. You cannot travel more than 5km to a location to exercise.
Gardaí said the public should also be aware that if a driver is found to be in breach of the non-essential travel regulations that the driver and all adult passengers can be fined €100 each.
This is also the case for adults in groups undertaking activities such as cycling or walking – every adult in such a group can be fined for being outside their 5km.
An Garda Síochána said travel restrictions do not apply in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm.
People issued with a Covid-related fine have 28 days to pay it or they will receive a court date shortly after.
The outcome is then a matter for the court but failure to pay a fixed penalty notice can result in conviction for a first offence in the District Court in a fine of €1,000 and/or imprisonment.
No investigation into Salthill event
Gardaí say they are not investigating any breaches of public health guidelines, following a wedding in Salthill this afternoon.
Footage circulating on social media platforms this evening shows a number of people emerging from the local Catholic church, after a wedding ceremony, and circulating briefly around a horse drawn carriage.
Local gardaí were at the scene and say they engaged with those present.
It is understood they are satisfied that no breaches of the five kilometre travel rule took place, as those attending the wedding were from the local area.
Under Level 5 guidelines, no more than six people are allowed to attend a wedding.
No fixed payment notices were issued for breaches of public health regulations, following this afternoon's ceremony.
Additional reporting Pat McGrath
