Garda Easter weekend crackdown sees 21 arrests and hundreds speeding in first 24 hours

Gardaí have arrested 21 drivers for drink and drug driving and caught hundreds more speeding in the first 24 hours of a major Easter Bank Holiday crackdown on Irish roads.

A nationwide Roads Policing Operation is underway from 7am on Thursday, April 2 until 7am on Tuesday, April 7, with gardaí carrying out high-visibility checkpoints and mandatory intoxicant testing.

In a statement, gardaí said: "To date, a total of 21 people were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs)."

"In excess of 680 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first 24 hours of the operation."

Among the most serious speeds recorded were 147km/h in a 100km/h zone in Wicklow, as well as other drivers caught well above limits in Cork, Donegal and Meath.

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Gardaí also revealed that nearly 90 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt during the same period.

Despite the high number of offences, there were no fatalities recorded during the first 24 hours of the operation, with the total number of deaths on Irish roads this year standing at 42.

Gardaí warned that enforcement will continue throughout the weekend.

"Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity."

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They added: "At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant like alcohol or drugs."

Motorists are being urged to slow down, avoid distractions and take extra care around vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Gardaí also warned that walking or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put people at risk.