Driver caught travelling at 207km/h in Limerick during Garda operation
Kenneth Fox
A total of 149 people were arrested over Christmas for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.
Over 4,600 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána as well.
An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which began on Monday, December 1st, 2025, and will continue until Monday, January 5th, 2026.
During the fourth week of the operation, between Monday, 22nd December and Sunday, December 28th inclusive, there were three fatalities on our roads and 8 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over the past week, An Garda Síochána carried out nearly 2,100 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
Notable top speeds detected include:
- 118km/hr in a 50km/hr zone on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7;
- 140km/hr in a 60km/hr zone on the N15 in Mullandrait, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal;
- 167km/hr in an 80km/hr zone on the R430 road in Drumagh, Crettyard, Co. Laois;
- 207km/hr in a 100km/hr zone on the N18 in Ballinacurra (Weston), Co. Limerick;
- 164km/hr in a 120km/hr zone on the M9 in Yellowbogcommon, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.
Over 435 vehicles were seized by gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
150 fixed charge notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving, and 45 fixed charge notices were issued for seat belt offences.
They said the Christmas period is one of the busiest on Irish roads. It is also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.
To date, 189 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
This year’s Christmas and New Year road safety appeal focuses on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the devastating loss of life and serious injuries it can cause.
