Gardaí have been spat or coughed at 70 times in five weeks during Covid-19 lockdown

Gardai have invoked new temporary Covid-19 regulations 241 times between April 8 and May 16.

Gardaí were given new powers under Operation Fanacht. Picture: Dan Linehan.

70 incidents of spitting or coughing at Gardaí have occurred in a five-week period during the pandemic.

Gardaí have invoked new temporary Covid-19 regulations 241 times between April 8 and May 16.

The Gardaí also said they used anti-spit guards 57 times between April 8 and May 16.

In a statement, the Gardaí said they have interacted with hundreds of thousands of people while on patrol or at checkpoints.

A small minority of cases were still not willing to comply with the new Covid-19 regulations and Gardaí said new powers were used 241 times.

These include both arrests and incidents without arrest where names and addresses were taken for consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In 1,621 incidents the Gardaí said they used pre-existing enforcement powers.

Gardaí said the vast majority were adhering to the public health guidelines.