Fines for non-essential cross border travel come into effect
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People living in Northern Ireland who cross the Irish border without a reasonable excuse face a 100 euro fine from today.
The new measures apply to anyone who is “not ordinarily resident” in the Republic of Ireland.
The Garda said, if enforcement is required, a fixed payment notice for 100 euro will be issued to each person who is in breach of the regulation.
If gardai stop a car with a driver and two passengers then each of the three adults will receive a fine of 100 euro.
The new rules mean the Garda can turn back day trippers from Northern Ireland who cross the border.
Under Ireland’s current Covid-19 public health restrictions, travel is restricted to within five kilometres of a person’s home except for essential reasons.
Around 4,600 people have been fined for breaching Covid-19 regulations in Ireland.
About 3,500 of the fines were for non-essential travel, including around 375 for non-essential journeys to airports/ports.
People travelling to an airport or port to take a holiday abroad are liable for a 500 euro fine for undertaking a non-essential journey.
The Irish government has advised against all non-essential travel.
