Gardaí on standby as festivities commence

GARDAÍ throughout the country are on standby this weekend ahead of St Patrick’s Day celebrations with a surge in tourists expected in most city areas.

In a bid to prevent the type of scene that flared up last year in Finglas, a community policing plan has also been put in place for areas outside the city.

In Dublin up to 400 gardaí at any one time, including plain clothes as well as in uniform, will be patrolling the streets.

Ahead of the Skyfest fireworks display over Waterford tonight, gardaí will also be looking out for any signs of petty thieves or pickpockets targeting tourists.

The six-day nationwide festival is expected to see at least one million people take part in events like traditional music, carnivals, comedy and street theatre, culminating in parades in towns and cities on Tuesday.

Motorists were also warned to be vigilant this weekend with an exodus of people expected to take to the road.

Garda checkpoints will focus on drink driving, speeding and the non-wearing of safety belts.

Over the St Patrick’s Day holiday period last year there were 2,656 speeding detections, 530 drink-driving arrests and 378 seat belt offences.

Ahead of festivities, Road Safety Authority chief Noel Brett said: “If you are thinking of getting into the car after a few drinks, stop and think”.

Fáilte Ireland is putting e1.2 million into the festival. The return to cities and towns nationwide is expected to pull in upwards of at least e50m. Festival organisers said the media exposure worldwide could be worth more than e100m to the country.

A third of festival audiences book into local accommodation staying for at least one night, says Fáilte Ireland.

Fine Gael warned last night that sufficient gardaí were needed to prevent a repeat of last year’s public order incidents. “Last year on St Patrick’s Day there were incidents of major public disorder, particularly in Finglas, where petrol bombs were thrown, cars were hijacked and joy-riding took place. In one incident a man was dragged from his car and had his jaw broken. Gardaí in riot gear were eventually called in.

“This year, I believe preventative measures must be the order of the day,” said justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan. Many incidents last year were fuelled by underage drinking and there was a need to police areas near supermarkets and off-licences keeping an eye on the sale of alcohol, said the TD.

“Recent cuts to garda overtime will put existing gardaí under more pressure than ever,” warned Mr Flanagan.