Northern Ireland residents urged not to travel over border and to stay at home

The appeal came after it emerged over the weekend that Gardaí do not have powers to enforce the Covid-19 movement restrictions on someone who does not live in the Republic.

It has caused frustration in the south where residents are not permitted to travel more than two kilometres from their homes for non-essential reasons.

Donegal TDs Charlie McConalogue, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty have all called upon the Minister for Health Simon Harris to immediately amend the regulations to allow gardaí to enforce emergency restrictions on movement to all who travel in the State.

On Monday, Gardaí confirmed an extensive network of checkpoints is to be established across the country from 7am today until the end of the May Bank Holiday weekend on Monday night, May 4.

In relation to enforcement on those from NI, a Garda spokesperson told the ‘Journal’ yesterday the force ‘does not comment on legal advice it receives on specific issues nor on consultation with Government Departments on relevant legislation.’ They added that in recent weeks An Garda Síochána has used a wide range of laws available to it.

“For example, long-standing legislation for offences such as public order, assault, road traffic, and drugs. It remains the case that anyone visiting the State even temporarily is amenable to such criminal laws of this State during their time here.”

The Gardai and PSNI are understood to be co-operating closely to ensure adherence on both sides of the border.

Meanwhile, Inishowen Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern confirmed there was a ‘significant increase’ in traffic at checkpoints over the weekend. He urged people to adhere to restrictions and those in NI to ‘remain in their own jurisdiction.’ He highlighted how COVID-19 is in the Inishowen community and those who flout restrictions are ‘putting themselves at risk.’

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd from the PSNI said: “The ROI Regulations are not the same as those that apply to Northern Ireland and the form of words in terms of relevant geographical location do not apply to the Northern Ireland Regulations.

“The simple health advice is to stay at home and only leave home when it is absolutely essential. Travelling all but modest distances for your daily exercise is unlikely to be essential and therefore ill-advised.

“It is reasonable to travel for the purpose of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services where it not reasonably possible for that person to work or provide those services from their home.

“People are also permitted to leave their homes for essential matters such as to seek medical assistance, obtain basic necessities including food and medical supplies, provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, donate blood, to attend a funeral of a member of the person’s household or close family member.

“Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar. People should stay in their main place of residence.

“We will continue to engage with people and explain what we need them to do and encourage them to follow the restrictions that are in place. Enforcement is always a last resort. The vast majority of people spoken to by Police Officers have cooperated well and a relatively small number of penalty notices have been issued to date.

“With a Bank Holiday weekend around the corner, the overall situation remains under review and we will be working with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána in relation to an appropriate policing response.”