Gardaí have begun a major policing operation to support public compliance with the emergency health restrictions that commenced at midnight.
Thousands of gardaí will be deployed all over the country on high-visibility mobile patrols and checkpoints, and at key locations where large numbers of people might gather.
Commissioner Drew Harris has said the garda's priority is public safety and said it is vital that people adhere to social distancing guidelines.
To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, new restrictions on movement were announced by the Government last night. This weekend, thousands of gardaí will be on the streets, engaging with people, checking their movements and addresses, and encouraging people to adhere to the public