Garda appeal for safe St. Patrick's Day celebrations

THE public are being urged to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day safely and responsibly.

The Mayo roads policing unit will be out detecting drink driving, speeding, mobile phone use and the non-wearing of seatbelts over the holiday weekend.

Gardaí have appealed to people to behave responsibly on the county's roads and in our towns.

Superintendent Joe McKenna, at a Mayo Joint Policing Committee meeting, said a lot of people will be visiting the west of Ireland. It's fantastic that people can be out again, but he asked people to mind themselves and be careful of their drinking habits and be mindful of local people living in our towns.

He reminded people that it is an offence to be drunk or to be abusive, and other people are due the utmost respect.

With public order offences, you may find yourself with an €80 fine or in a prison cell, he advised.

“Enjoy and celebrate,” Supt. McKenna said, “but be respectful of the communities you are visiting.”

Supt. Gabriel Moran urged people to be responsible on the roads, particularly regarding drink and drug driving.

The roads policing unit will have a visible presence on the county's roads over the weekend to detect offences.