GARDAÍ  have issued almost 17,000 fines for breaches of Covid-19 regulations at a value of around €2.3 million. New figures from gardaí show the highest number of fines were issued for non-essential travel, with 12,336 incidents incurring a €100 penalty.

More than 2,700 fines have been issued to people for attending or organising house parties.Some 554 individuals have been fined €500 for organising such events, with another 2,259 hit with €150 penalties for attending house parties.

Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security Anne Marie McMahon said: “On behalf of everyone in An Garda Siochana, I want to thank the vast majority of people who are helping to protect gardai by following public health advice.Your sacrifice and support is very much appreciated. We know it is hard, but please keep it up.Unfortunately, despite the constant public health advice, we are still seeing people attending house parties and other large social gatherings.Going to such gatherings puts yourself, your loved ones, and everyone else you come into contact with after of getting Covid-19.Everyone has a role to play in this. The best way of keeping safe this weekend is to stay home.If you are going out, please stay within your 5km, limit your contacts with others, maintain social distancing, and regularly wash your hands.”

The latest figures, as of 25 March, included 12,336 fines of €110 for non-essential travel and 1,096 fines for non-essential trips to ports or airports, 721 costing €500 and 375 at €100.

A total of 293 penalties of €80 have been issued to people for not wearing face masks.There were also 313 fines of €100 for non-essential travel by persons not ordinarily resident in the state.

The total value of fines issued to date is approximately €2,287,000.