PARTY REVELLERS FINED €1,600 FOR COVID-19 BREACHES

EIGHT people who attended a house party in New Ross on Friday night were hit with large fines.

Gardaí were alerted to a breach of Covid-19 regulations at a house in an estate in New Ross and attended the premises at 7.30 p.m.

They found a large gathering and spoke with the owner. ‘Gardaí attended the scene and located several people drinking alcohol in a shed. Seven people who didn’t reside in the house were located and they were all issued with a fine for breach of covid guidelines,’ a garda spokesperson said.

All seven complied with the guard’s request to leave the premises. Further enquiries were carried out and it was a established that a shebeen was not being run from the premises. The occupant of the house was also issued with a fixed penalty notice.

As per the Health Act 1947, as amended €150 fixed penalty notice are issued to anyone attending an unlawful social or recreational gathering in a home and €500 fines apply for anyone organising an unlawful social or recreational gathering in a home.

A CALL has been made for students with special needs and their parents to be prioritised during the Covid vaccine rollout.

Speaking at the most recent New Ross Municipal District meeting, Cllr Pat Barden said: ‘I have looked at the HSE’s list of priorities and nowhere do special needs children or adults feature. They and their families are finding it very difficult to cope with the situation. They are out of their routine and they can’t settle and they are getting aggravated. It’s turning into an absolute nightmare for patents and their children who have special needs.’

Cllr Barden said the council should write to the HSE to explain the gravity of the situation.

‘ This is a matter of urgency and special needs children need to be moved to the top of the list when it comes to vaccination. Teachers and carers also need to be vaccinated.’

Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Whelan seconded the motion, which was unanimously supported.

SOUTH KILKENNY gardaí were involved in a major international operation with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) which uncovered €4m in fund transfers from other jurisdictions to Irish bank accounts linked to members of an organised crime group.

On February 10 gardaí conducted a search operation in south Tipperary and south Kilkenny.

The search operation targeted the crime group, some of whom hail from south Kilkenny and have relations across the border in New Ross.

The white collar gang have developed considerable links across the continent of Europe. Over the course of the investigation assistance was sought from and provided by Europol.

The search operation involved searches of four residential properties and a business premises. It was conducted by Criminal Assets Bureau personnel supported by the Emergency Response Unit and assisted by local divisional personnel and the Garda Dog Unit.

The operation resulted in the freezing of 16 bank accounts linked to members of the organised crime group.

The accounts contain cumulative funds of €540,000. Other items of note seized were a 201 Volvo XC90 and financial documents

A garda spokesperson said: ‘ The search operation is a significant development in an ongoing CAB investigation targeting an organise crime gang involved in large-scale money laundering in the Republic of Ireland and Europe.’

Members of the gang are facing trial in Sweden and are known for their work laying tarmac throughout Scandinavia.