Major Galway checkpoint location as gardai arrest driver
Several others have been issued fixed notice charges
Galway gardai have arrested one driver and issued fixed notice charges to several others following a major checkpoint in the north of the county.
Headford officers were out in force arresting one driver for being over the alcohol limit while driving as well as discovering two fake licences.
Eight fixed notice charges were issued to drivers who were using their phones while approaching the checkpoint.
A further 26 detections were made when vans and lorries were checked for road worthiness.
Inspector Stan O’Grady said the objective of this high-visibility policing activity is to promote awareness and deter drug use, search for drugs and deter both drink and drug-driving, as well as promoting road safety and ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles.
A spokesman for gardai said: “We carried out a series of checkpoints around County Galway on Wednesday 15th July as part of the multi-agency Operation Intercept, with our colleagues from the Road Safety Authority and Revenue Customs.
“There was one arrest for failing the roadside test for intoxicated driving and two fake driving licences were detected.
“Eight Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) were issued for using a mobile phone – while the drivers were on the approach to the major high-visibility checkpoints.”
He continued: “Numerous FCNs were also issued for no tax, no NCT, non-conforming number plates and one unaccompanied driver on a provisional licence had to wait for a qualified driver to join them before they could continue their journey.
“Along with our colleagues from the RSA, lorries and vans were checked for roadworthiness – 26 defects were detected and Garda prosecutions will follow.
“One tachograph-related prosecution will also follow. Customs detected offences relating to VRT and the use of “green” diesel.”