'No excuses' - Gardaí issue fines as they crack down on poor driving in Kilkenny

An Garda Síochana in Kilkenny have issued several fines and penalty points to drivers over the past 48 hours.

Gardaí were targeting poor driver behaviour as part of a road safety initiative during the inclement weather.

Motorists are being urged to be safe on local roads this weekend as Storm Austen and Boelo deliver adverse weather conditions.

A Status Yellow rain and wind warning was in place for Kilkenny, with Met Éireann warning of difficult travelling conditions, localised flooding, fallen trees and debris on roads.

The second named storm of the season is forecast to track to the northwest of Ireland on Saturday, bringing further heavy rain and strong winds, particularly to western and northern areas.

Met Éireann has warned that further rainfall, combined with already wet conditions, could increase the risk of flooding in some areas over the weekend.

Motorists are being advised to remain vigilant and keep up to date with the latest weather warnings.

Incidents included one driver caught travelling at 81km/h in a 60km/h zone in dark and wet conditions, another making good headway on the Ring Road despite having two bald tyres, and a third caught texting while driving on the same route.

Three further drivers were caught carrying out overtaking manoeuvres of more than 100 metres on hatch markings.

“All issued fines and penalty points, no excuses entertained. Bad conditions mean more care,” a garda spokesperson said.

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