BREAKING: More than 50 offenders caught in targeted garda operation in Kilkenny
Gardaí in Kilkenny detected 57 offenders and handed out 117 penalty points in a substantial operation targeting mobile phone use and distracted driving
Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit carried out an operation targeting mobile phone offences in Kilkenny City earlier today (Wednesday).
The operation, according to a garda spokesperson, detected 57 offenders.
Over the course of the operation, gardaí handed out 117 penalty points.
"The vast majority of those intercepted were texting, sending messages on various platforms and even watching videos," gardaí said.
"Distracted driving Kills. Fact."
Meanwhile, gardaí in Kilkenny have issued a warning to the public to be extra vigilant following a spate of frauds.
In Kilkenny City on Monday an unsuspecting driver was targeted by criminals who approached the injured party in a city centre carpark under the guise that damage was caused to their car.
The innocent party was drawn away from their car, which was unlocked, and a bank card was stolen from their car.
A number of fraudulent transactions were used with the stolen card.
Meanwhile in South Kilkenny, fraudsters recently successfully targeted a person by impersonating bank staff and managed to obtain personal details and access the injured party's bank account and stole a quantity of cash from their account.
Crime Prevention Officer, Garda Eddie Brennan urged people to always stop and think before acting.
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"We are also aware of phone messages purporting to be from Revolut and from An Garda Siochana which are scams," he said.
"We are asking people to check the veracity of any unwarranted messages, to stop and think before you react.
"These criminals are constant and relentless in their targeting of people and are evolving in their methods all the time and they are preying on the vulnerability of people.
"We are urging people to be extra vigilant and to never disclose personal or bank details unless they have confirmed the veracity of the request."