Garda enforcement operation finds more than 1,000 drivers speeding

Bank holiday push catches 163 people driving under influence of alcohol or drugs

An Garda Síochána launched a policing operation on the morning of Thursday, January 30th, including high-visibility checkpoints and intoxication testing. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
An Garda Síochána launched a policing operation on the morning of Thursday, January 30th, including high-visibility checkpoints and intoxication testing. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

More than 1,000 drivers were caught speeding in the first four days of a Garda roads policing operation covering the bank holiday weekend.

Some 163 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

An Garda Síochána launched a policing operation on the morning of Thursday, January 30th, including high-visibility checkpoints and intoxication testing. It is due to last until 7am on Tuesday morning.

Three people have been killed on the roads during the period of the operation.

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Two men in their 20s, Bhargav Chitturi and Suresh Cherukuri, were killed in Carlow in the early hours of Friday morning when their car struck a tree.

The two are members of the Indian community who had attended South East Technological University and were working in the area. A fundraiser for funeral costs was widely supported by the community, raising more than €60,000.

A man in his 60s was killed in a three-vehicle collision at Blakes Cross in north county Dublin, also on Friday.

Speeds detected by gardaí included a driver doing 89km/h in a 60km/h zone on Katharine Tynan Road in Dublin 24; a driver recorded at 83km/h in a 50km/h zone in Kilkerrin, Co Galway; and a driver at 125km/h on the N7 at Kill, Co Kildare, a 100km/h road.

Gardaí highlighted the fact that the enforcement data is despite a reduction in numbers of motorists on the roads in the wake of Storm Éowyn.

All drivers who are taking to the roads are reminded to slow down, take extra care and to give driving their full attention, a Garda statement said.