Figures released by An Garda Síochána today show that 263 people have been arrested for drink driving offences over the bank holiday weekend.
As part of the safety enforcement operation, gardai confirmed they had recorded 263 suspected drink driving incidents.
A 22-month-old boy died yesterday after he was struck by a car in Dublin. The boy was struck by the car at Charnwood Grove, Clonsilla in Dublin 15 at around 2.10pm. He was taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, but was pronounced dead a short time later. His name has not yet been released.
Meanwhile, the PSNI has named two people killed in a three vehicle crash near Newry on Friday night. They were 44 year old Stephen Shields from Newry and 26 year old Gerard Fearon from Dromintee.
Ahead of the weekend, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appealed to motorists to drive safely and to obey the rules of the road. The AA warned motorists to "slow down, wear your seat belt even for short journeys and take breaks if you're driving long distances."
Earlier in the week, the Garda Traffic Bureau warned up to 400 motorists will be arrested for drink driving, and a further 3,000 caught for speeding, over the Bank Holiday weekend.
After five people were killed and 137 injured during last year's October Bank Holiday, officers promised a hard-hitting road safety enforcement operation. Around 324 people were arrested for drink-driving offences over the same period last year.