Kildare drivers caught speeding over St Patrick's weekend

Gardai held a Roads Policing Operation over the bank holiday weekend

Two Kildare motorists were detected breaking the speed limit over the bank holiday weekend.

A Garda Roads Policing Operation took place throughout the St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend between 7am on Thursday March 12 2006 and 7am on Wednesday March 18 2026.

During the operation, two Kildare motorists were detected breaking the speed limit on Saturday, March 14.

A motorist on the L3002 in Pluckerstown, Kilmeage, Co Kildare was detected travelling at 81 km/h in a 60km/hr zone, while another Kildare motorist was detected travelling at 137km/h in a 120km/hr zone on the M7 in Lewistown, Naas, Co Kildare.

Other notable detections outside of Kildare on Saturday 14 were:

112km/h in a 50km/hr zone on the R183 in Dernaglug, Doohamlet, Co Monaghan;
137 km/h in a 80km/hr zone on the N4 in Ballydowd, Lucan, Co. Dublin
133 km/h in a 100km/hr zone on the South Ring Road in Cork, Co Cork

During the first 72 hours of the operation there were two fatalities as a result of traffic collisions on our roads.

This brings the total number of fatalities on Irish roads this year to 36.

Throughout the weekend's Roads Policing Operation, gardai are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.

To date, a total of 93 people were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs.)

In excess of 2550 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first 72 hours of the operation.

During the first 72 hours of the operation, over 200 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

An Garda Síochána is appealing to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

All drivers taking to the roads over the weekend are reminded to slow down, take extra care and give driving their full attention.