Dublin gets 110 extra gardai for Christmas

An extra 110 gardaí will be on the streets of Dublin from Sunday to help speed up traffic in the run-up to Christmas.

The move is part of "Operation Freeflow," which runs until early January.

Freeflow, which is in its seventh year, will target 120 traffic blackspots and see the introduction of late-night DART and Christmas Nitelink services, according to the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO).

Roadworks in the capital have been suspended, although some work will continue on major projects such as the Port Tunnel and the LUAS light rail.

Nitelink departures start on Monday, December 2nd operating every night until Saturday, January 4th, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Departure times are: Saturday to Wednesday - 12.30 a.m., 1.30 a.m., 2.30 a.m., 3.30 a.m. and 4.30 a.m.; Thursday to Saturday - first bus 12.30 a.m., then every 20 minutes until the last bus at 4.30 a.m..

Late-night DART services will operate Thursday, Friday and Saturday from December 5th to December 21st. Security will be provided on all trains.

A freephone number (1800-293949) is available for people to report urgent traffic matters so they can be dealt with.