€100 fine for cross-border travel from North to South now in effect

A cross border fine for those travelling across the border from Northern Ireland to the South, without a reasonable excuse, has come into effect.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Feb 2021, 09:44 BST
Updated 8th Feb 2021, 16:03 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An Garda Siochana advised that, from 7am this morning, Monday, February 8, anyone ‘not ordinarily resident’ in the South engaging in travel there ‘without reasonable excuse may be liable to receive a fine of €100.’

“The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020, as amended, are currently in force. These regulations currently state, “any other person who is not ordinarily resident in the State shall not travel within a relevant geographical location without reasonable excuse.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Garda spokesperson continued: “An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting public health regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Gardaí engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

Members of An Garda Síochána operating a vehicle checkpoint on the main Muff to Derry border crossing recently. DER1920GS – 004Members of An Garda Síochána operating a vehicle checkpoint on the main Muff to Derry border crossing recently. DER1920GS – 004
Members of An Garda Síochána operating a vehicle checkpoint on the main Muff to Derry border crossing recently. DER1920GS – 004

“From Monday, 8 February 2021, if enforcement is required, Gardaí will issue a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) for €100 to every adult present who is in breach of this regulation. For example, if the driver of a car has two adult passengers then each of the three adults in the car will receive a €100 fine.”

An Garda Síochána is also continuing to conduct checkpoints on access roads to airports and ports, as well as in departure areas, to check on whether people travelling to these locations are undertaking an essential journey.

“Travelling to an airport or port to take a holiday abroad is not an essential journey.”

The measures mirror those in place for residents in the South, where they could also be liable to be fined for non-essential travel over 5km of their home.

Related topics:NorthNorthern Ireland