Issue Date: 17/03/2021
An Garda Síochána continues to advise people to stay home to stay safe this St Patrick’s Day and avoid large gatherings and house parties.
An Garda Síochána has observed overwhelming compliance by the public in support of the current Public Health Regulations and Guidelines.
A significant policing operation is in place right across the country.
A number of events organised on social media have transpired, but with limited numbers in attendance.
An Garda Síochána has continued to use its 4Es approach – engage, explain, and encourage with enforcement a last resort. Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events is in line with this graduated policing response taking into account public health regulations and advice.
Following continued non-compliance with Public Health Regulations and failing to comply with directions from An Garda Síochána, An Garda Síochána has intervened on any number of occasions.
Up to 3pm today An Garda Síochána has arrested 16 persons (13 male, 3 female) associated with these events in the Dublin.
10 persons have been charged and will appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court at 4.30pm at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
An Garda Síochána operations in Dublin continue at this time.
Speaking this afternoon, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon said,
"This has not been a normal St Patricks Day. I acknowledge the huge level of compliance and social responsibility demonstrated today.
I appeal to the public to continue this effort into this evening, please do not engage in house gatherings or parties or congregate in public spaces and amenities.’
This evening, An Garda Síochána will continue high visibility patrolling at public amenities, conducting checkpoints focused on non-essential travel and people exercising outside 5km of their home, road safety activity and large gatherings that may occur across the country.
It is important that people enjoy the good weather and avail of fresh air. Please do so in accordance with Public Health Regulations. If a public amenity appears to be crowded please change your plans and revisit at a later time.
When visiting public amenities within 5km of your home please park legally. Illegal parking can hinder access by emergency services and could put lives at risk. As has been the case previously, people who illegally park are at risk of having their cars towed and impounded.
An Garda Síochána appeals to the public not to arrange or attend house parties or gatherings this evening. These events put not just those attending, but everyone they meet afterwards, at risk of catching COVID-19.
An Garda Síochána continues to remind persons subject to domestic violence - Travel restrictions DO NOT APPLY in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who may have been the victim of an incident of sexual or domestic crime irrespective of whether you may have been on breach of any public health regulations, for instance by attending a house party, An Garda Síochána is here to assist and support you, please report all such incidents.
