Family visiting grandparents 20 miles from home among those stopped by Gardaí for flouting Covid-19 restrictions in Cork

Fri, 10 Apr, 2020 - 10:50

Ann Murphy

A WOMAN taking her children to visit their grandparents 20 miles away was stopped by gardaí in west Cork yesterday.

She was one of a number of people throughout Cork city and county who were asked to return home since the introduction of new garda powers on Wednesday.

She was stopped at a checkpoint and had three children in the car with her.

Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan said a number of elderly people travelling to Macroom from outlying villages including Ballyvourney and Ballingeary "for a spin" were also turned back.

He said there were also incidents where people who are over 70 and in the cocoon group who initially told gardaí they were in their 60s but then had to admit they were older when they were asked to produce identification.

The new garda regulations were signed by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, late on Tuesday night.

Carrigaline, Cork, Ireland. 10th April, 2020. Gardá Jacinta Broderick, speaking with drivers on their reasons for travel at a checkpoint outside Carrigaline, Co. Cork. In order to minimise the spread of Covid-19 the Gardaí have set up more than 600 checkpoints nationwide to persuade the public not to travel outside the 2km restriction zone from their homes. - Picture; David Creedon / Anzenberger

Those caught flouting the new measures and who refuse to comply with an instruction by a garda imposing public health restrictions including cocooning, physical distancing and travelling further than 2km from their home can be faced with a fine of up to €2,500 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

Under the regulations, someone believed to be at risk of spreading the virus, and who fails to self isolate, can be detained by the HSE and gardaí, and could face up to three months in prison.