Gardaí have revealed that almost 3,500 motorists were detected speeding during the St. Brigid’s Bank Holiday Weekend, with Bank Holiday Monday recording the highest number of offences, accounting for more than 800 detections in a single day.
The figures were released following an “enhanced Road Safety and Traffic Enforcement campaign” that ran from Thursday morning until Tuesday morning, aimed at tackling dangerous driving behaviours nationwide.
In addition to speeding offences, 193 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, while nearly 400 motorists were caught using mobile phones behind the wheel. Gardaí also seized more than 660 vehicles, with around 50% detained due to a lack of insurance.
Tragically, two people lost their lives on Irish roads over the weekend, and 14 serious injury collisions resulted in 15 people being seriously injured. One fatal incident occurred in Co Kildare, where a man in his 50s died after being struck by a car on Saturday. The second fatality happened in Co Cavan on Monday, involving a collision between a car and a lorry, claiming the life of a man in his 40s.
So far in 2026, 13 people have died on Irish roads. Gardaí also confirmed that 188 people were killed in road collisions last year, marking an increase of 14 fatalities on the previous year and the highest annual total since 2014.
Among the most serious speeding incidents, Gardaí detected a motorist travelling at 190km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N4 at Aughamore, Co Leitrim. Other extreme speeds recorded included:
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173km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N18 in Ballinacurra (Weston), Co Limerick
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154km/h in an 80km/h zone on the N16 in Glencar, Co Sligo
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134km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Katharine Tynan Road, Dublin 24
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130km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R239 in Fahan, Co Donegal
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123km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R154 in Trim, Co Meath
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95km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Malahide Road, Dublin 3
Gardaí have reiterated that excessive speed, intoxication, and mobile phone use remain among the leading causes of serious and fatal collisions, urging motorists to slow down and drive responsibly.
