Latest news with #KevinFlatley
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Ciaran Cannon: Government is quietly but unmistakeably retreating from its commitment to road safety
Instead of a coherent national strategy, what we are seeing is an abdication of responsibility disguised as consultation and local autonomy When our Government took office, it promised to create 'safer roads for everyone in Ireland.' Last week, it published Phase 2 of Ireland's Road Safety Strategy 2025–2027, and in the foreword to that document – citing the tragic death of roads policing officer Garda Kevin Flatley – our Taoiseach, Tánaiste and senior ministers committed to a complete 'road safety reset'.
The Irish Sun
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘It's quick and easy way to check your alcohol levels' – Drop by breathalyser installed at busy GAA club
A BREATHLYSER has been installed at St. Eunan's GAA club in the hopes of reducing drink driving on Irish roads. The Flinebox breathalyser programme is an initiative of Road Safety Authority Ireland supported by 3 A breathalyser device has been installed at St. Eunan's Camp Grounds Credit: Facebook/RSA 3 The free device is now available all weekends at the GAA club Credit: Facebook/RSA The scheme is meant as both an educational and preventative measure. The Flinebox device has a touch electronic screen with a straw to blow into so that patrons can check their alcohol levels on site quickly and easily. The device uses the same reliable sensor found in law enforcement breathalysers. The RSA took to READ MORE IN MOTORS They wrote on " If you're in Letterkenny this weekend, swing by and give it a try! " It's a quick and easy way to check your alcohol levels. Drive safe. " And the free device is now available all weekends at the Most read in The Irish Sun New data from the RSA has revealed a worrying trend as nearly half of people who tested their alcohol levels at Flinebox breathalyser kiosks mistakenly believed they were under the legal limit. The findings come from an RSA pilot programme, which trialled Flinebox breathalyser kiosks at hospitality locations and events across Ireland over six months. Micheal Martin 'deeply saddened' of Garda Kevin Flatley at Dublin checkpoint The initiative aims to give people real-time feedback on their alcohol levels, helping them make informed decisions before getting behind the wheel. During the six-month pilot, over 24,000 breathalyser tests and surveys were conducted. It said that 45 per cent of people who tested over the legal limit mistakenly believed they were fit to drive. And 77 per cent of those who mistakenly believed they were under the limit had said they were going to drive. The data also highlighted that young men aged 18-34 were most likely to underestimate their alcohol levels and say they were going to drive. Sarah O'Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, said: 'We are urging drivers not to rely on guesswork when it comes to alcohol and driving. "This data shows that many people wrongly assume they're under the limit when they're not - putting themselves and others at serious risk. 'EDUCATION MEASURE' 'We introduced the breathalyser kiosks as an education measure to help drivers get a clear, scientific measure of their alcohol levels. "The pilot made it clear that people struggled to understand their own level of impairment." She continued: "But the real message is simple: if you have a drink, don't drive. "The safest option is to plan ahead, arrange alternative transport, and never take a chance behind the wheel. 'This data is a stark reminder that our perception of how alcohol affects us is often flawed. Never ever drink and drive." The RSA pilot programme ran from August 2024 to February 2025, with Flinebox kiosks placed in hotels, bars, and event venues across 3 The device uses the same reliable sensor found in law enforcement breathalysers Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Sunday World
22-06-2025
- Sunday World
Triathlon event held in memory of tragic Garda Kevin Flatley
The motorcyclist was rushed to Beaumont Hospital and passed away from his injuries on May 30. Members of the gardaí pay tribute to Garda Kevin Flatley at the Fingal Triathalon in Skerries, Co Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron Members of the gardaí pay tribute to Garda Kevin Flatley at the Fingal Triathalon in Skerries, Co Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron The triathlon club of which the late Garda Kevin Flatley was a member have honoured their teammate by riding his racing bikes for a triathlon event. Garda Flatley died last month after being struck by a motorbike on the R132 at Lissenhall in Dublin on May 11. A tribute was also read out at the triathlon for the 49-year-old father-of-two, who was a keen runner and had previously completed a half Ironman endurance event. A member of the Roads Policing Unit in Dublin Castle, Garda Flatley was conducting roadside speed checks when the road traffic accident happened. Members of the gardaí pay tribute to Garda Kevin Flatley at the Fingal Triathalon in Skerries, Co Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd The motorcyclist was rushed to Beaumont Hospital and passed away from his injuries on May 30. A keen fitness enthusiast and dedicated community volunteer, Garda Flatley was a member of the Fingal Triathlon Club. On Sunday the club hosted the Fingal Triathlon in which some 600 adults and 200 juniors took part in the multi-discipline race involving swimming, cycling and running. The event began at Red Island in Skerries, with a tribute read out in honour of Garda Flatley, followed by a poignant minute's silence with many of his garda colleagues present. Members of the Fingal Triathlon club later rode Garda Flatley's racing bikes in a touching tribute to their clubmate. They were flanked by local gardaí on bicycles and escorted by two motorcyclists from the Roads Policing Unit in Dublin Castle. A procession later took place in Skerries town centre with a guard of honour held. The Triathlon Sprint saw participants take on a 750m swim, a 20km cycle along the coastline, and finishing off with a 5km run. At his funeral last month, the congregation was told how Garda Flatley always focused on helping people which extended beyond his workplace and was 'always the first to offer support to community groups' and to volunteer. This included his work with the Special Olympics, O'Dwyers Gaa club, and the Fingal Triathlon Club where he was race director in 2013. His racing achievements included completing a half-Ironman triathlon and many other multi-discipline endurance races around the country. The funeral, attended by President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, was told that Garda Flatley had been a family man who died in the service of the state keeping the roads safe. He started his career at Pearse Street Garda Station, where he was a valued and respected member of his unit, before moving to Blanchardstown garda station in 2002. He later transferred to the Roads Policing Unit in 2018.
RTÉ News
10-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Plans to increase new garda recruits to 1,000 per year
The Garda Commissioner says An Garda Síochána is planning to increase the number of new garda recruits to 1,000 every year. Drew Harris will tell the Oireachtas Justice Committee this afternoon they are working with the Office of Public Works to to increase the capacity of the Garda College to accommodate 250 new recruits. He says they want to run two recruitment competitions, with four intakes of two hundred and fifty each, to the Garda College in Templemore every year. He also says the gardaí are currently in discussions with other third level institutions regarding recruit garda training and is committed to meeting the Government's target of 5,000 new gardaí over the next five years. The figure of 1,000 new gardaí is unlikely to be met this year at current recruitment rates. The Commissioner has also rejected claims that the level of resignations from An Garda Síochána is high, pointing to the fact that 140 of 14,000 resigned, a ratio of 1% and 29 fewer than the year before. The figure is lower than the UK and some police forces, he says, have a resignation rate of 10% He also said the recent loss of the roads policing Garda Kevin Flatley who died in the line of duty serves "as a stark reminder of the risks gardaí face" and puts "into sharp focus the dangers that exist on our roads today." Last year, one driver was arrested every hour of every day for driving under the influence of drink or drugs and there was a 14% increase in the number of Fixed Charge Notices and penalty points for mobile phones. Seventy people have died on the roads so far this year, five less than last year, a reduction which the Commissioner points out "is no consolation for the bereaved families."
Irish Times
10-06-2025
- Irish Times
Death of Garda Kevin Flatley a ‘stark' reminder of risks facing members of force
The death of Garda Kevin Flatley was a 'stark' reminder of the risks gardaí face while on duty, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will tell the Oireachtas justice committee later. Mr Harris, who is due to brief TDs and senators about the force's operations, community policing and road safety, will use an appearance before an Oireachtas committee to 'reiterate the importance of responsible driver behaviour'. Garda Flatley, a 49-year-old father of two, was killed on duty last month while policing a speed checkpoint duty near Swords, Dublin. Izzet Can Berber, the motorcyclist involved in the collision in which Garda Flatley was fatally injured, died in hospital last week from his injuries . READ MORE 'The recent loss of our colleague Garda Kevin Flatley served as a stark reminder of the risks our gardaí face while on duty, but also put into sharp focus the dangers that exist on our roads today,' Mr Harris will tell the committee. He will note that despite 'significant roads policing enforcement', there had been 70 road deaths so far this year as of June 5th. 'And so, I want to reiterate the importance of responsible driver behaviour,' he will say. 'I appeal to all road users – in the interest of their safety and those around them – that they slow down, never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, wear a safety belt, and never use a mobile phone while driving.' The committee will also hear the commissioner defend the staff retention rate in An Garda Síochána . He will argue that the rate of resignations from the force is below those in the UK and some European police forces. Mr Harris will also stress that the Garda's new operating model, the first time the structure of the force has changed since the 1920s, has been a success – particularly for survivors of domestic violence. He will also tell the committee that there have so far been 12 prosecutions under a stalking law enacted last year.
