Six Dead on Irish Roads as Garda St Patrick's Weekend Operation Enters Day Five
Six dead on Irish roads in five days as Gardaí detect over 4,250 speeding drivers during St Patrick's weekend operation.
Six people have lost their lives on Irish roads in the first five days of An Garda Síochána's St Patrick's Bank Holiday Weekend Roads Policing Operation, bringing the total number of road fatalities in Ireland so far this year to 38.
The operation runs from 7:00am on Thursday, 12 March 2026 until 7:00am on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, with Gardaí conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints and regular high-visibility policing across the country.
After five days, 188 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while in excess of 4,250 drivers have been detected for speeding offences.
Speeds recorded yesterday, Monday, 16 March, included a driver caught doing 85 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the Boreenmanna Road in Cork; 98 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in Riverstown, Sligo; 121 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in Cootehill, Cavan; and 125 km/h in a 100 km/h zone near Kilcogy, Cavan.
Over 450 drivers have also been detected using a mobile phone at the wheel or not wearing a seatbelt since the operation began.
With St Patrick's Day falling today, An Garda Síochána is urging all road users to plan ahead and arrange a safe way home if socialising. Drivers are reminded to slow down, stay focused, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
All figures are provisional, operational, and subject to change.
