BBC journalist Stephen Nolan on coach stopped by Garda en route to Dublin
A coach carrying BBC presenter Stephen Nolan among its passengers was stopped by Garda as it travelled to Dublin.
The presenter shared an image of the Garda van and his Irish passport on social media on Tuesday.
'Stopped by the Garda on the Dublin coach. Lucky I have my ID with me!' he wrote on Facebook.
An Garda Síochána was asked about the incident but said they 'do not comment on third-party material posted on social media."
However, a spokesperson confirmed the force carries out 'regular operational activities in the vicinity of the International Border with Northern Ireland, including joint cross border activity in line with the Cross Border Policing Strategy and the Cross Border Joint Agency Taskforce.'
'Operational activity includes routine Road Safety Checkpoints (including Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) Checkpoints) and Criminal Interdiction and Intelligence checkpoints,' they added.
'An Garda Síochána does not carry out permanent immigration checkpoints at any location along the border.'
The spokesperson explained that the regular cross-border stops are part of operation Sonnet which specifically targets persons traveling across the border from Northern Ireland abusing the CTA – Common Travel Area.
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It is led by The Garda National Immigration Unit (GNIB).
'These operation have been conducted on a regular basis in 2023 and 2024, and during the 2nd half of 2024 have increased to deal with emerging trends surrounding the influx of persons entering Ireland from Northern Ireland for the purpose of claiming international protection,' they explained.
"These persons are abusing the CTA and its integrity.
'GNIB also have a GNIB Officer deployed in Belfast, who operates between Belfast airport and port, and provides intelligence surrounding the possible moving of persons to the Republic of Ireland.
"This GNIB Officer is an important aspect to Operation Sonnet. GNIB also have a two joint operations with Border Force, Home Office, UK; namely Operation Gull and Operation Comby. These operations also examine the movement of persons across the Irish border.'
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