Operation Surround was conducted at two locations in the Southern Region this morning 23rd February 2014 between the hours of 00:30 and 01:30.
The locations concerned were the towns of Killarney in Co Kerry and Newcastle West, Co Limerick.
During the year 2013 a total of 190 persons lost their lives on Ireland’s roads. This is 28 more deaths than in 2012.
To date this year 6 persons have died in traffic collisions in County Kerry. There were no fatalities in the county in the same period in 2013. In County Limerick 2 persons have died in traffic collisions this year in comparison to 3 deaths in the same period in 2013.
This is a total of 8 deaths in 2014 in comparison to 4 deaths in the same period last year. Road deaths have doubled this year in counties Limerick and Kerry in comparison to the same period in 2013.
This year 73 persons have been arrested for drink driving in comparison to 72 in the same period in 2013. These figures show that drink driving is still very prevalent.
With the objective of preventing further deaths and injuries and to encourage Road safety in both counties a focused Garda Operation was conducted between the hours of 00:30 and 01:30 on Sunday morning the 23rd February 2014.
The towns of Killarney and Newcastle West were selected for 'Operation Surround'. During the course of the Operation Gardaí mounted Mandatory Alcohol Testing Checkpoints on the main access and egress routes to and from the towns where all motorists were subjected to roadside checks including Mandatory Alcohol Breath Testing.
Pat Lehane Southern Regional Traffic Superintendent speaking in Killarney stated that:
"Drink driving continues to bring death and injury to our communities. We continue to meet selfish drivers who fail to act responsibly and place others road users in danger. The message is clear. Never ever drink and Drive”. We must reverse this upward trend in deaths on the roadways of Kerry and Limerick.
Superintendent Lehane continued:
"We had in excess of 30 Gardai involved in this morning’s operation. We need the support of the people of Kerry and Limerick to make our roads safer. Do not drink and drive; do not get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Together we can make our roads safer.”
Newcastlewest Operation: 163 vehicles passed through checkpoint, 61 drivers were breath tested. All drivers passed roadside test. No arrests.
Killarney Operation: 205 vehicles passed through checkpoint, 170 drivers were breath tested. All drivers passed roadside test. No arrests.
