Day trippers show ‘a lack of cop on’
VISITORS TURNED AWAY FROM BEACH, WHILE CARS ARE TOWED FROM ENTRANCE TO KNOCKSINK WOOD
VISITORS were turned away from the beach at Kilcoole on Sunday afternoon as gardaí urged people to go out on foot only, and within 2km of their homes. Meanwhile, cars blocking the entrance to Knocksink Wood near Enniskerry were towed away on Saturday afternoon.
Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District Cllr Tom Fortune sharply criticised those in breach of the restrictions.
Gardaí attended Kilcoole beach a number of times at the weekend and discovered that people from beyond the 2km limit were driving there to go for a walk. Gardaí said that only people from Kilcoole should be on the beach and they should be walking to it rather than driving.
‘ The beach was fairly active on Sunday,’ said Cllr Fortune. ‘I was aware of a few people who walked down and when they saw all the activity, turned around and walked home. People are being asked to behave in a certain way to break the back of this,’ he said.
‘Most people are adhering to it but for some it’s just a lack of cop on.’
CATHAOIRLEACH of Greystones Municipal District Tom Fortune said that people ‘really need to cop on’ after cars had to be turned away from Kilcoole beach on Sunday.
Gardai attended the are a number of times at the weekend and discovered that people from beyond the 2km limit were driving there to go for a walk.
Gardai said that only people from Kilcoole should be on the beach and they should be walking to it rather than driving there.
‘ The beach was fairly active on Sunday,’ said Cllr Fortune. ‘I was aware of a few people who walked down and when they saw all the activity, turned around and walked home.’
Cllr Fortune said that people had come from outside the village to walk dogs. ‘I know it’s a big challenge for everyone, and most people are doing it properly,’ said Cllr Fortune. ‘ There’s a biggish minority carrying on as if it’s okay. It’s partly misunderstanding, and maybe a smaller amount who just don’t care.
‘People are being asked to behave in a certain way to break the back of this. Most people are adhering to it but for some it’s just a lack of cop on.’
Gardai in Bray have said that compliance is very high in terms of following directions to stay at home.
‘Our priority at all times is to keep people safe,’ said Sergeant John Fitzpatrick of Bray Garda Station. ‘ Together we can flatten the curve and help protect our friends, loved ones and neighbours.
‘ The overall compliance is extremely high and we want to thank the people for listening and complying,’ said Sgt Fitzpatrick.
‘We will police the restrictions as always with the consent of the people and the public.’
He said that there are a series of Covid-19 controls and checkpoints around Bray and County Wicklow. ‘ The focus is to support compliance with the public measures,’ said Sgt Fitzpatrick.
He said that there have been a small number of errors, wherein people have unwittingly done something to breach the restrictions.
‘We did have an incident over the weekend where four friends from south Dublin tried to go walking on the Sugarloaf. They were from four different houses and well over 2km away from home. They weren’t aware and thought that they were okay because they were outdoors and observing social distancing.’
Sgt Fitzpatrick said that once gardai told them they had travelled too far and to stay within 2km of home and to take exercise individually, they were happy to comply. In an entirely different case, a car was stopped in the Ashford area and gardai were suspicious so tested the driver, who showed cocaine in his system. ‘ There are people who won’t comply with any directions, whether road traffic laws or public health restrictions,’ said Sgt Fitzpatrick. ‘In an incident like that people are deliberately not following the restrictions.’ He said that if people have any concerns about anything going on in their own area, do contact the local garda station.
Sgt Fitzpatrick said that there had been issues with cyclists going beyond the 2km limit from home. ‘Wicklow is a bit of a Mecca for cyclists,’ he said. ‘Everyone is being asked to make a small sacrifice for a couple of weeks, so we’re asking them to restrict it to a 2km loop from home. It is for a relatively short time.’ Anyone who needs help is urged to get in touch with gardai, particularly those cocooning who are in vulnerable categories. A Covid-19 office has been developed at Bray Garda Station and they are coordinating volunteer groups. Meanwhile, family members are still permitted to deliver essential supplies to relatives who are cocooning, as long as they observe strict distancing.
‘Remember, help and advice is only a phone-call away,’ said Sgt Fitzpatrick. He urged people to keep in touch with their neighbours and to ring the local garda station if they have any concerns.
‘If a stranger calls to the door and you are in any doubt, seek identification and call the organisation they claim to represent,’ said Sgt Fitzpatrick. Bray Garda Station can be reached on 01 6665300. Wicklow County Council’s community response forum can be reached on 1800 868 399.