Gardai warning over Galway checkpoint speed van location WhatsApp groups
They have issued a strong warning about it before
Gardai will be reissuing the warning they gave back during the February Bank Holiday as the August one is upon us.
They previously warned drivers about whatsapp groups sharing locations of checkpoints and speed vans.
Back in February, the Kilkenny Garda Siochana facebook group said: “We're not going about our business to make money but to catch impaired drivers, criminals, speeding vehicles that maim and injure” and that their "focus is on checkpoints and speed detections”.
They continued: “One of our lads got a sniff of a local WhatsApp Group aimed at sharing local alerts. This group may include flood warnings etc but is predominantly centred around Garda activities in the environs.
"If you're part of such a group, maybe leave it and change your behaviour so that you don't need the warnings. We do what we do in the hope of knocking on one less door making a notification of a loss of a loved one.”
A Garda Roads Policing Operation is taking place throughout the August bank holiday weekend from Thursday 30th July until Tuesday 4th August 2026.
During the first day of the operation on Thursday 30th July 2026, there was no fatality as a result of traffic collisions on our roads.
The total number of fatalities on Irish roads to date this year is 108.
Throughout this weekend's Roads Policing Operation, Gardaí are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
A spokesman for gardai said: “To date, a total of 20 people were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs).Just over 760 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first day of the operation.
“Notable speeds detected yesterday, Thursday 30th July 2026, include: • 90km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R474 Mahonburgh, Kilmaley, Co. Clare.• 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Navan Road, Dublin 15.• 117km/h in a 80km/h zone on the N2 Knockronaghan, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan.• 139km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N7 Palmerstown, Johnstown, Co. Kildare.
“During this period, more than 90 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.
“This weekend's road safety enforcement operation focuses on the four lifesaver offences in an effort to ensure that all road users get home safe.
“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. Slow down and stick to the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Wear your seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile devices when you are driving. You can help get another person home safe this weekend.”