A MAJOR garda operation targeting drink-drivers resulted in only nine detections of over-the-limit motorists out of more than 1,600 who were alcohol-tested over the weekend.

The tests were part of Operation Surround, a special garda initiative that targeted drink-driving in selected towns and locations around the country simultaneously for an hour-long period in the early hours of yesterday.

Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints were established at access routes around the towns which made it virtually impossible to access them without being tested.

In total, 1,613 motorists were tested between 12.30am and 1.30am.

Only nine drivers tested positive for being over the limit and were subsequently arrested and taken to a garda station for further testing.

Seven of the arrested drivers tested positive again. One was found to be under the limit while the remaining driver refused to be tested at the station.

The MAT checkpoints were established in 10 counties, with several towns selected in Dublin and Cork.

SELFISH

Other towns and cities that came under examination were Donegal, Cavan, Sligo, Drogheda and Kilkenny.

The clampdown was part of the Easter Bank Holiday road safety campaign run by gardai in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority.

Some 2,800 drivers had been breathalysed over the Easter period by yesterday afternoon.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said the operation was part of a wider clampdown on those driving while under the influence of alcohol.

"Drink-driving is totally unacceptable, and we will continue to intensively target these selfish drivers who think that it won't affect their or others' safety," he said.

Easter is traditionally one of the worst periods on Ireland's roads, with 14 fatalities and 24 people seriously injured over the Easter period since 2009.

In the first three months of 2014, a total of 1,926 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Almost 45,000 fixed charge notices were issued for various road infractions in the same period.

HNEWS@HERALD.IE