One Dead and 35 Fatalities Recorded on Irish Roads as Garda Operation Targets St Patrick's Weekend
Gardai record one death and 500+ speeding detections in the first 24 hours of the St Patricks Bank Holiday roads policing operation.
An Garda Síochána has confirmed one person has died in a road traffic collision during the opening 24 hours of a major policing operation targeting St Patrick's Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing the total number of road fatalities in Ireland this year to 35.
The Roads Policing Operation runs from 7:00am on Thursday, 12 March 2026 until 7:00am on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, with Gardaí conducting Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints and high-visibility patrols across the country throughout the period.
In the first 24 hours alone, more than 500 drivers were caught speeding. Among the most notable detections on Thursday, 12 March were a driver recorded at 124 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the R147 in Piercetown, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, and another clocked at 119 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N53 in Barronstown, Hackballscross, Co. Louth.
Further detections included 108 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 in Drumcaw, Co. Monaghan, and 82 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the Davitt Road, Dublin 12.
To date, 22 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while over 40 drivers were detected using a mobile phone or failing to wear a seatbelt.
An Garda Síochána is urging all road users to plan ahead, arrange a safe way home if socialising over the coming days, and give their full attention to the road.
"Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs," the statement reads. "Slow down, take extra care and give your driving your full attention."
All figures are provisional and subject to change.