Latest news with #MandatoryIntoxicantTesting
Sunday World
08-07-2025
- Sunday World
BBC journalist Stephen Nolan on coach stopped by Garda en route to Dublin
The presenter shared an image of the Garda van and his Irish passport on social media on Tuesday A coach carrying BBC presenter Stephen Nolan among its passengers was stopped by Garda as it travelled to Dublin. The presenter shared an image of the Garda van and his Irish passport on social media on Tuesday. 'Stopped by the Garda on the Dublin coach. Lucky I have my ID with me!' he wrote on Facebook. An Garda Síochána was asked about the incident but said they 'do not comment on third-party material posted on social media." However, a spokesperson confirmed the force carries out 'regular operational activities in the vicinity of the International Border with Northern Ireland, including joint cross border activity in line with the Cross Border Policing Strategy and the Cross Border Joint Agency Taskforce.' 'Operational activity includes routine Road Safety Checkpoints (including Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) Checkpoints) and Criminal Interdiction and Intelligence checkpoints,' they added. 'An Garda Síochána does not carry out permanent immigration checkpoints at any location along the border.' The spokesperson explained that the regular cross-border stops are part of operation Sonnet which specifically targets persons traveling across the border from Northern Ireland abusing the CTA – Common Travel Area. Stephen Nolan Bangor woman celebrates 100th birthday in style It is led by The Garda National Immigration Unit (GNIB). 'These operation have been conducted on a regular basis in 2023 and 2024, and during the 2nd half of 2024 have increased to deal with emerging trends surrounding the influx of persons entering Ireland from Northern Ireland for the purpose of claiming international protection,' they explained. "These persons are abusing the CTA and its integrity. 'GNIB also have a GNIB Officer deployed in Belfast, who operates between Belfast airport and port, and provides intelligence surrounding the possible moving of persons to the Republic of Ireland. "This GNIB Officer is an important aspect to Operation Sonnet. GNIB also have a two joint operations with Border Force, Home Office, UK; namely Operation Gull and Operation Comby. These operations also examine the movement of persons across the Irish border.' Stephen Nolan Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 8th
Belfast Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
BBC journalist Stephen Nolan on coach stopped by Garda en route to Dublin
The presenter shared an image of the Garda van and his Irish passport on social media on Tuesday. 'Stopped by the Garda on the Dublin coach. Lucky I have my ID with me!' he wrote on Facebook. An Garda Síochána was asked about the incident but said they 'do not comment on third-party material posted on social media." However, a spokesperson confirmed the force carries out 'regular operational activities in the vicinity of the International Border with Northern Ireland, including joint cross border activity in line with the Cross Border Policing Strategy and the Cross Border Joint Agency Taskforce.' 'Operational activity includes routine Road Safety Checkpoints (including Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) Checkpoints) and Criminal Interdiction and Intelligence checkpoints,' they added. 'An Garda Síochána does not carry out permanent immigration checkpoints at any location along the border.' The spokesperson explained that the regular cross-border stops are part of operation Sonnet which specifically targets persons traveling across the border from Northern Ireland abusing the CTA – Common Travel Area. It is led by The Garda National Immigration Unit (GNIB). 'These operation have been conducted on a regular basis in 2023 and 2024, and during the 2nd half of 2024 have increased to deal with emerging trends surrounding the influx of persons entering Ireland from Northern Ireland for the purpose of claiming international protection,' they explained. "These persons are abusing the CTA and its integrity. 'GNIB also have a GNIB Officer deployed in Belfast, who operates between Belfast airport and port, and provides intelligence surrounding the possible moving of persons to the Republic of Ireland. "This GNIB Officer is an important aspect to Operation Sonnet. GNIB also have a two joint operations with Border Force, Home Office, UK; namely Operation Gull and Operation Comby. These operations also examine the movement of persons across the Irish border.'
Extra.ie
12-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Cutest Garda recruit keeping 'paw and order' on the job
The latest recruit to An Garda Siochána is already causing a stir with a number of drug busts on his first weekend on the job in County Galway. Gunner, the latest addition to the Garda Drug Squad is an 18-month-old Golden Cocker Spaniel mix who joined Gardai this past weekend at an MIT (Mandatory Intoxicant Testing) checkpoint, where alongside his two legged colleagues, Gunner detected two drivers who tested positive for drugs. Gardai seized one car while several other drivers were issued with fines and penalty points for a range of road traffic offences. Gunner – Latest Garda Recruit Gunners' human colleagues say he has a great nose for the job, and people can expect to see much more of him out and about this coming summer as he works alongside his human companions at the North Western Regional Garda Dog Unit. Gardai say there will be high visibility policing involving Gunner over the coming weeks in an effort to promote awareness and deter drink and drug driving on the roads. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos After a good shift on duty, we are told Gunner likes to play fetch at home with his Garda handler and their family. The name Gunner is of historical Viking origin and was chosen for its meaning, Brave, bold and spirited warrior.
Dublin Live
04-06-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
M50 motorist caught at almost twice speed limit during Garda bank holiday operation
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A motorist was detected driving at almost double the speed limit on the M50 over the weekend. The driver was clocked doing 188km/h in a 100km/h zone on the motorway near Templeogue. The detection was made as part of an extensive roads policing operation carried out by gardai between 7am on Thursday, May 29 and 7am on Tuesday, June 3. One person sadly lost their life on the roads over the weekend while 14 serious collisions resulted in 14 people suffering severe and life-threatening injuries. Gardai manned more than 830 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints over the weekend. Over 4,000 breath tests and around 270 oral fluid tests were carried out, leading to 167 arrests for suspected driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Officers were also out in force to clamp down on speeding on the country's roads, with almost 3,000 drivers detected over the speed limit. These included: 99km/h in a 50km/h zone on R212 at Clones, Co. Monaghan 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on R147 at Dunboyne, Co. Meath 119km/h in a 80km/h zone on R148 at Broadford, Co. Kildare Almost 500 vehicles were seized over the weekend. According to figures released by An Garda Siochana, 99 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied while a further 380 were seized for having no tax or insurance. Hundreds of Fixed Charge Notices were also issued over the weekend. These were for offences including: Using Mobile Phones – over 210 Unaccompanied learner drivers – over 215 No seatbelts – over 70 Commenting on the figures, a Garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Sunday World
03-06-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Gardai seize nearly 500 vehicles, catch 3,000 speeding and arrest 167 others over weekend
During this period, there was one fatality on the roads, while 14 serious collisions resulted in 14 individuals sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries Gardai seized nearly 500 vehicles, detected almost 3,000 drivers speeding and arrested 167 others over the June Bank Holiday weekend. The figures were released after an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation was put in place from 7am on Thursday, until 7am this morning. During this period, there was one fatality on the roads, while 14 serious collisions resulted in 14 individuals sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries. Over the course of the operation, gardai conducted more than 830 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints. More than 4,000 breath tests and approximately 270 oral fluid tests were carried out, leading to 167 arrests for suspected driving under the influence of an intoxicant. . News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Additionally, almost 3,000 drivers were detected breaking speed limits throughout the weekend including one clocked at 99km/h in a 50km/h zone on R212 at Clones, Co. Monaghan. Another was caught doing 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on R147 at Dunboyne, Co. Meath, while another was speeding at 119km/h in a 80km/h zone on R148 at Broadford, Co. Kildare. In Dublin, one driver was speeding at 188km/h in a 100km/h zone on M50 at Templeogue. More than 210 Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) were issued for other using mobile phones, while 215 were handed out to unaccompanied learner drivers and more than 70 to those not wearing a seatbelt. In addition, 99 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied and another 380 for having no tax or insurance. 'An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road,' a Garda spokesperson said.
