GARDAÍ were turning back some cars travelling across the border yesterday as stricter Covid-19 regulations came into force.
People travelling into the state without a "reasonable excuse" - including from the north - can now be fined €100.
Several cars were stopped at a Garda mobile checkpoint near the Monaghan/Tyrone border yesterday morning but no fines were issued.
Travel is also restricted across the Republic to within five kilometres of a person’s home except for essential reasons.
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The Stormont Executive has advised that people should not travel more than 10 miles from their home in order to take exercise.
People have also been asked not to "travel in or out of Northern Ireland except where it is essential to do so".
However, no travel limit has been introduced.
One Irish News reader from Co Fermanagh said he was concerned by the number of cars registered in the Republic who are continuing to travel north to shop in supermarkets.
He questioned why the north has not followed the Republic's lead and cracked down on drivers who cross the the border without a good excuse.
The Executive Office was asked yesterday if ministers are considering the introduction of a travel limit. As of yesterday evening, the office had not responded.
A Garda spokesman said if officers stop a car which is making an unnecessary journey then every adult travelling in it can be fined €100.
The measure aims to deter day-trippers and not people who work across the border or who have caring responsibilities.
Finance minister Paschal Donohoe has previously said he trusts gardaí to use their discretion in issuing fines and telling motorists to turn back home.
To date this year, around 3,500 people have been fined for non-essential travel including around 375 for non-essential journeys to airports or ports.
Dozens of Garda checkpoints have already been operating in border areas as part of Operation Fanacht (Operation Stay).
Gardaí set up several mobile checkpoints yesterday, including in Drogheda, Co Louth, and close to the border.
At one, near Emyvale on the Tyrone-Monaghan border, three motorists were turned back yesterday morning.
Inspector Adrian Durcan from Monaghan Garda Station told the PA news agency that no fines had been issued.
"We have engaged with a few people who have not had essential reasons and on the advice of the guards, they have turned back."
But he warned that gardaí would issue fines to those not complying with the regulations and follow up through court summons.
"They will receive the fine and have 28 days to pay the fine. Failure to pay that fine will result in a court appearance," he said.
"If they don't pay it we will issue a summons in respect of the offence and we will follow through on that summons.
"We would have no concerns at the minute other than to ensure that people have an essential reason to travel."
