More than 650 drivers caught speeding in last 24 hours

A motorist driving nearly 40km/h over the speed limit was among 650 people detected speeding during the first day of a garda road safety operation.

Gardaí said that since the operation began yesterday morning, 18 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs.

During speed checkpoints around the country, a driver was clocked at 119km/h in a 80km/h zone on the R265 at St Johnston in Co Donegal, while another was detected driving at 90km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R830 at Deansgrange in Dublin.

More than 95 drivers were also detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt yesterday.

The total number of people killed so far this year on Irish roads has risen to 152, following the death of a woman in her 70s following a two-car collision in Co Monaghan yesterday.

The road traffic operation will continue over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A number of weather warnings have been issued for Ireland ahead of Storm Boelo, and gardaí urged all road users to drive with care.

They said cyclists, e-scooter users and pedestrians should ensure they are clearly visible, particularly in darker conditions.