A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to a month in jail for breaching the Covid-19 emergency powers legislation.

Kevin McGowan, with an address at Mulroy Gardens, Creggan Estate in Derry, was arrested by gardaí in Co Kerry this morning, more than 400km from his home.

He told gardaí he was on his way to buy two pups when he was stopped at 9.45am at Dooneen, Castleisland, in Co Kerry.

He initially told gardaí, who were operating a checkpoint under Operation Fanacht, that he was on his way to Tralee to turn off an alarm.

Gardaí asked him to produce documentation and his driving licence and when he failed to do so he was directed to return home.

However, McGowan took off at speed instead of turning his car.

A description was circulated to other garda units and Mr McGowan was arrested a short time later at Scart Cross, between Farranfore and Killarney.

He told gardaí he was in Kerry to buy two pups and gardaí later verified this.

McGowan was arrested and was brought to Tralee Garda Station.

He was then brought before judge David Waters at Tralee District Court.

McGowan pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2020) and he was sentenced to a month in jail.

He has been freed on bail pending an appeal.