Gardai have issued 487 fines for breach of Covid-19 restrictions

Meath Gardaí have issued 487 fines for breach of Covid-19 restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Policing Authority, which oversees the work of An Garda Siochána, has released its latest report on the performance of the organisation during the pandemic.

Meath Garda members issued 487 fines, which compares to 700 in Cavan Monaghan and 693 in Louth over the same period, up to November 27.

Cavan was on of the counties that saw the highest number of fines issued in the country with Donegal, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, as well as two of Cork’s three divisions and four of Dublin’s six, recording a higher number of fines.

The Policing Authority says just 47per cent of fines issued nationally have been paid to date, while the remainder either already have or will result in court proceedings.

Earlier this year, the Authority noted its reservations about the increasing use of fines during the pandemic due to the unfair burden they have on people who are less well-off and the pressures they could place on the Courts system.

Nationally, 23,112 fines have been issued, the majority - 15,016 - were issued for leaving home without a reasonable excuse.