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Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has encouraged essential workers to carry ID with them as he told the public that fines and prosecutions were possible for anyone found breaking the regulations of the current lockdown.

Speaking to media at a press briefing on Saturday morning, Commissioner Harris said regulations will come along very shortly and that we'll have them within days.

He also encouraged people to report anyone breaking these regulations to their nearest Garda station.

He said: "We are encouraging people to make sure that everyone is aware of what our function is in terms of enforcing these regulations.

"The difficulty is, there is people in our society who will often make poor choices, and there is a whole array of power for the Gardai to deal with individuals who will not be found wanting.

"We will soon be in a position to enforce those regulations but in the mean time we are taken a gradual response and engaging in people, persuading them to avail of the guidelines issued by the HSE."

Commissioner Harris also touched on some of the questions that Gardai will be asking people caught out and about in this two week period.

He continued: "Are they on essential trips? These have been outlined around shopping, health appointments, going to a chemist or else you are an essential worker.

"Or else you are on some form of exercise close to your home.

"We will be asking people, informing them and reminding them of what the regulations are."

When asked if people will be fined, he added: "The sanctions will be set out in the regulations. And they will follow through then in terms of reinforcement and putting people through for prosecution."

Today, there are over 2,500 Gardai on duty right across the country and their duty will be to focus on making sure that people are not panic buying.

Commissioner Harris added: "Originally there was a huge concentration on areas where people are congregating. But now there is a strong presence on making sure there's no panic buying in supermarkets this morning. You can go to the shops that is an essential journey.

"Really we are providing reassurance but also providing other functions such as the protection of crime while also making sure that people can travel on the road safely while keeping road collisions down as well".

He also encouraged people to contact Gardai if they see other people breaking these rules.

Commissioner Harris said: "Every single one of us should be obeying the rules."

"If they see a blatant disregard to what the regulations are, then they should contact us."

"We still be stopping individuals, asking them if their journey is essential. If an essential worker has got their ID and some form of description of what their work is, we can examine that at the roadside and that will be fine."

Speaking about organised crime increasing during these regulations, he concluded: "We have still maintained our detective capability. We have been very deliberate in making sure that our OGC capability is still in place.

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"They are using this situation to exploit it for their own purpose. People should be very wary of scams at this time for testing kits or cures."