Senior Garda officers believe the first day of checkpoints nationwide and resulting traffic congestion was a “sharp shock” that made it clear people should not be travelling outside their home county unless absolutely necessary. Officers who spoke to The Irish Times were unapologetic about the long traffic jams caused in some parts of the country, saying Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had on Tuesday warned very clearly that delays were inevitable. Minor roadsThousands of other mobile checkpoints were also being erected on more minor roads all over the country. Garda sources said motorists planning to avoid main routes in a bid not to be delayed by the Operation Fanacht checkpoints “will be left very disappointed”. And so gardaí were entitled to stop people and quiz them about their movements, even though no penalties arose for those who ignored that measure.

Source: The Irish Times October 07, 2020 20:48 UTC