New Garda Checkpoint Rules Enforced After Death of Officer

UPDATE: New rules for Garda checkpoints across Ireland are officially set to take effect following a comprehensive review of road safety protocols by An Garda Síochána. This urgent measure comes in response to the tragic death of Garda Kevin Flatley, who was struck by a motorbike while conducting a speed checkpoint alone in Dublin on May 11, 2025.

Effective immediately, a detailed risk assessment must now precede any speed checkpoint conducted by a single Garda. Additionally, all Gardaí, up to the rank of inspector, will be required to complete a new “out-of-vehicle” safety course. This training focuses on essential protocols for officers when exiting their vehicles, aimed at enhancing safety measures during roadside operations.

The new rules were announced in light of the tragic incident that also claimed the life of the motorbike driver, Izzet Can Berber, who succumbed to injuries weeks later in Beaumont Hospital. The deaths highlight ongoing concerns, as Drew Harris, the then-grad commissioner, noted that serious injuries among Gardaí at checkpoints are “a regular occurrence.”

A Garda spokesperson stated that these new measures are pivotal for ensuring the safety of Gardaí at checkpoints. The spokesperson confirmed, “As part of this, long-planned updated out-of-car training was introduced online and made compulsory for all Garda, Sergeant, and Inspector ranks.” The course draws on best practices from police services in France, Germany, and The Netherlands, providing critical insights on checkpoint setup and vehicle stops.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has raised concerns that the new training does not adequately address the ongoing resource crises affecting effective implementation. Alarmingly, less than one-fifth of Gardaí who enrolled to undertake the new safety requirements have successfully completed the course since its rollout in June.

Insiders close to the Garda have indicated that there is widespread confusion among ranks regarding the status of one-Garda checkpoints. Many officers mistakenly believe these operations have been disbanded, though this is not accurate. The source emphasized, “The bigger issue is that even if Gardaí were to adhere to what is contained on the course, there are simply not enough Gardaí to carry out checkpoints in accordance with its delivery.”

Looking ahead, a Garda spokesperson confirmed plans to bolster road policing numbers, with 23 members recently allocated to road policing units in the latter half of 2025. An additional 26 officers were deployed in June across various regions, including Sligo/Leitrim, Donegal, Louth/Cavan/Monaghan, Galway, Wexford/Wicklow, Kildare/Carlow, Laois/Offaly, and Waterford/Kilkenny.

As these developments unfold, the focus remains on safeguarding the lives of Gardaí and ensuring the effectiveness of road safety measures across Ireland. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.