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123 drivers arrested in bank holiday roads operation

Gardaí detected more than 5,000 speeding offences over the St Patrick's Day period
The operation began at 7am on Thursday and runs until 7am tomorrow (File image)

A motorist detected at 158km/h in an 80km/h zone was among 2,400 drivers caught speeding over the bank holiday weekend.

During the first four days of a garda road safety operation, 123 people were also arrested for driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs.

The operation began at 7am last Thursday and will continue until 7am tomorrow.

High-visibility checkpoints and Mandatory Intoxicant Testing have been in place throughout the weekend.

Among those caught speeding yesterday was a motorist clocked at 158km/ph in a 80km/h zone on the R498 at Inch, Borrisoleigh in Co Tipperary.

Another driver was detected at 96km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Rathmines Road Lower in Dublin, while another was detected travelling at 141km/h in a 100km/h zone on the R446 at Faheeran in Co Offaly.

On Saturday, a motorist was detected at 139km/h in a 100km/hr zone on the N72 at Knockanimrish near Killarney, in Co Kerry, while on the first day of the operation a driver was clocked at 173km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N87 at Belturbet in Co Cavan.

Gardaí said more than 240 drivers were caught using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

Two people died in separate road incidents in counties Cavan and Laois yesterday, bringing to 57 the total number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year.

Gardaí said they are urging drivers to be extra vigilant around vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.