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Garda group raises concerns over 'practicality' of issuing on-the-spot fines for breaches of Covid-19 rules

It is understood fines of €1,000 will be issued to those who organise house parties during the Level 5 restrictions.

THE ASSOCIATION OF Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has described as “concerning” and “unclear” new proposed laws which will give gardaí new powers to issue on-the-spot fines for a breach of Covid-19 restrictions.

AGSI said they are concerned that the regulations were developed without any consultation with key stakeholders in relation to their practical application.

“We remain concerned about the practicalities of issuing on-the-spot fines in relation to house parties and other matters,” AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said.

The government is tonight drafting new legislative amendments that will introduce a graduated scale fines for those who breach the restrictions, as part of an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

It is understood that fines of €1,000 will be given for the owners of houses, or tenants living in houses where house parties are held. 

There will be fines of up to €500 for other breaches of the Covid-19 restrictions which will come into force on Thursday, it’s understood.

Earlier, Cabinet agreed to give gardaí new powers that will allow them to issue fines to the occupier of a house where a house party or gathering is taking place.

Gardaí will be allowed to call to homes or other indoor venue and ask those present to disperse.

If people refuse to comply with a garda request to leave the party, those living in the house could be given a fine.

Under the new law, it will be presumed the occupier is the organiser, unless proved otherwise, and they will be issued with a fixed charge notice.

Under the current law, gardaí are not legally permitted to enter a home without a warrant. Under the new legislation, gardaí will still not be permitted to enter the home of someone without a warrant.

However, they will be given the power to prevent people from entering house parties or indoor gatherings which are in breach of the government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

If gardaí suspect someone is on their way to a house party or are in the vicinity of a house party which is about to begin they can direct them to leave the area in a peaceful manner.

‘More questions than answers’

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said if gardaí knock on the door on a house where a party is taking place, they will ask who owns the property, and can ask everyone to leave. 

She said there will always be “engagement first” before any fines are issued.

McEntee said people will always be engaged with and will be asked to comply. Only as a “last resort” will the fines be issued.

AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said they listened “with interest” to McEntee this evening, adding: “We remain concerned about the practicalities of issuing on-the-spot fines in relation to house parties and other matters. 

It is clear from the Minister’s comments that we will not have the power to enter into a person’s home and on a practical level this means that if a person refuses to answer the door to a member of An Garda Síochána, where a house party is taking place, we remain powerless. 

When asked about giving gardaí powers to enter into someone’s home, McEntee said “that is not somewhere we want to go”.

In terms of protests, she said under the law there is a right for peaceful protests to be held. 

However, the new legislation will stipulate that any large gatherings such as protests, people will be asked to wear face coverings, and if they refuse, they can be issued with a fixed penalty fine.

Cunningham said: “While we appreciate the government felt they had to do something to address the issue of house parties and protests, we fear that unless the practical enforcement elements are considered in these matters, the legislation may cause difficulties. 

Once again, we face going into lockdown with more questions than answers. Our members will require detail guidance on how these new proposed laws should be enforced. 

With reporting by Stephen McDermott and Gráinne Ní Aodha

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AyZYVV6F
    Favourite AyZYVV6F
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:25 PM

    Thevamount of people who drive with their fog lights on WHEN IT’S NOT FOGGY!!

    120
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    Mute shellakybooky
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:45 PM

    @tooler doogan: and probably don’t use them in the fog then.

    71
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    Mute AyZYVV6F
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:11 PM

    @shellakybooky: spot on

    26
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    Mute Earl of Daventry
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    Apr 8th 2019, 9:53 PM

    Most crashes in fog are people trying to find their fog lights.

    82
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    Mute Glenn k ☘☘
    Favourite Glenn k ☘☘
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:02 PM

    @Earl of Daventry: the amount of clowns i meet daily who cannot even manage to put any kind of light on.gob$hites.

    174
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    Mute Tom Nolan
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:36 PM

    @Glenn k ☘☘: or those clowns that have EVERY single light on

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    See 4 more replies ▾
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    Mute Tom Nolan
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:38 PM

    @Glenn k ☘☘: or those clowns that have EVERY single light on in the middle of the day

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    Mute Anthony
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    Apr 9th 2019, 2:57 AM

    @Earl of Daventry: well that’s not true.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 9th 2019, 9:05 AM

    @Earl of Daventry: and your evidence for this is?……

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    Mute David Weston
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    Apr 9th 2019, 9:46 AM

    @Tom Nolan: or those that have all the lights on but there’s nobody home !

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    Mute Mark Plunkett
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:37 PM

    That movie the FOG is on later,I heard it’s not to be MIST.

    63
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    Mute Michael Carolan
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:44 PM

    @Mark Plunkett: what a joker

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Apr 8th 2019, 9:53 PM

    Take care out there people, it’s foggy!

    38
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    Mute ed w
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    Apr 8th 2019, 10:56 PM

    do no trust your car if you only have daytime running lights on your rear lights are most likely off.please at least put on your sidelights to ensure your rear lights are on please !

    27
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    Mute John O'Connell
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:54 PM

    Anyone that knowingly drives around during the day in clear conditions with their fog lights on must have a lower than average I.Q. The scary thing is, every second car appears to be driven by one of these F.Wits!

    30
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    Mute John Carton
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:16 PM

    It should be law to drive with lights on regardless of fog more lights the better lights save lives I drive with my front fog lights on when its after dusk you still get people driving with no lights on that’s how people get killed pulling out with on coming car with no lights on

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    Mute AyZYVV6F
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:35 PM

    @John Carton: fog lights are for fog, used in clear conditions they can be blinding on oncoming traffic at night time or worse in wet conditions they reflect off the road making it very dangerous for others, Fog lights are for fog hence the name!

    65
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    Mute John O'Connell
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:45 PM

    @John Carton: Nob

    22
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    Mute Arya
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    Apr 8th 2019, 9:56 PM

    Fog fog go away…it is Spring. Didn’t you get the F.ing memo.

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    Mute liam ward60
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    Apr 8th 2019, 9:57 PM

    Dont care wont be out in it til 5 30 am train to Dublin on weds morning

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    Mute Jake
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    Apr 9th 2019, 5:57 AM

    @liam ward60: the commuter dream

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Apr 9th 2019, 12:15 AM

    Just think about it … fogs lights are for mist/fog … driving with headlights and fog-lights when there is no mist/fog during daytime means they are getting closer and closer to replacement and they will fail early, most likely during night/mist/fog when you really should have them.

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    Mute finbarr walsh
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    Apr 8th 2019, 9:57 PM

    How many idiots will still drive with their lights off in the morning and complain about people with front fogs on. Remember parking lights are for parked cars

    71
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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Apr 9th 2019, 1:18 AM

    @finbarr walsh: 1,236 on my last count, hold a sec, there’s another ‘jaysus that’s 1,237, going to start losing count soon methinks.

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    Mute Radek Hurt
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    Apr 8th 2019, 11:04 PM

    Usually have my fog lights off when I sleep.

    4
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    Mute JeremiahMcDonagh
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    Apr 9th 2019, 8:21 AM

    What’s a fog light or a parking light

    4
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