The Garda has appealed to the public to report suspected drink- drivers as part of the latest traffic campaign launched in the run-up to the bank holiday weekend.
A week-long operation targeting drink-drivers began last night, with undercover and uniformed officers monitoring pubs and clubs across the country.
A Garda spokesman said the operation would run until June 7th with the main emphasis of the operation on the enforcement of drink-driving legislation.
"During each night of the operation, gardaí will monitor licensed premises and individuals leaving from them, in every Garda division. Checkpoints will be mounted and marked and unmarked patrol cars will be used to monitor driving behaviour," the spokesman said.
He said the majority of motorists did not drink and drive. However there was a sizeable minority who continued to break the law and these drivers would be the focus of concentrated Garda enforcement.
He said this operation is part of An Garda Síochána's ongoing efforts to alter driver behaviour.
The spokesman added: "Motorists are reminded: never drink and drive, keep within the speed limits and wear seat-belts."
Members of the public are being encouraged to report cases of suspected drink-driving to the force. Asked how they should do this, a spokeswoman from the Garda press office said people should contact their local Garda station or ring 999 if they see a case of suspected drink-driving.
Asked whether such cases constituted real 999 emergencies, the spokeswoman said: "Certainly, if you're driving behind someone and they appear drunk, then it is an emergency."
During the June bank holiday last year five people died and 94 people were injured on Irish roads.
