Gardaí arrested 25 people last night for drug or drink driving as they warn people to take caution on the roads this bank holiday weekend. 

An Garda Síochána are conducting a dedicated enforcement operation over the Bank Holiday weekend from 7am on Thursday, August 3rd  until 7am on Wednesday, August 9th.  

Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Paula Hilman urged people never to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

“We've already arrested 25 people as part of our operation over the weekend,” she said.  

Ms Hilman urged people to share the road safely this weekend. 

“Our message really to all road users is to share the road safely, to look out for one another,” she said. “Especially if you're heading away to an event. 

“Especially vulnerable road users, those pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, plan your journey and take into account road and weather conditions.”

Weather

Wet and windy weather is expected over the bank holiday, as a level Yellow warning was issued for Leinster, Connacht, Monaghan and Clare. 

Met Éireann forecaster Liz Walsh told Newstalk bad weather can be expected across all four provinces. 

“Heaviest rain is likely over central parts of Ireland - where the Yellow rainfall warning is in operation for all of Connacht, central and north Leinster and southern parts of Ulster,” she said. 

Ms Hilman said people should “think about slowing down” during the poor weather. 

Road deaths

The road deaths in Ireland in the first half of 2023 are the worst in six years, as new RSA figures show there were 100 deaths on Irish roads by August 1st. 

The Road Safety Authority has warned if current trends continue, up to 168 lives will be lost on Irish roads this year. 

Some 23 people aged 16 to 25 were killed on the road this year, almost as many as in the same period in 2021 and 2022 combined.