This morning.

The N1 near Bray, County Wicklow.

Rona-busting Operation Fanacht in full effect.

The motorways are a little safer today.

Name that jammer, anyone?

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Oh.

Meanwhile….

Ah.

Level 3 garda checkpoints in place across country (RTÉ)

Earlier: Mask Cheaters Cheat Us All

Meanwhile…

He loves it when a plan comes together.

Gulp.

This morning.

The haul from a search of a house in County Meath last night where Gardai seized approximately €958,800 of suspected drugs, €489,120 in cash and three firearms with ammunition and silencers. One man was arrested and is currently detained at Ashbourne Garda Station.

Name those ‘pieces’, anyone?

RollingNews/@gardainfo

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar

This morning.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said a system of fines may have to be considered for people who break restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.

Via RTÉ:

Leo Varadkar told a meeting of Fine Gael TDs, Senators and MEPs last night that the Government’s primary aim was to secure public buy-in rather than to introduce draconian measures.

However, Mr Varadkar said if fines were to be introduced, they would have to be both graduated and imposed on-the-spot fines rather than involving the courts.

He suggested an appropriate penalty could be in the order of €50 for not wearing a mask, and €200 for not abiding by travel restrictions.

Level 3 garda checkpoints in place across country (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Alternatively…

If you were looking up at the sky last evening, you’ll have seen the Red Planet as bright and close as it’s been to the Earth for two years. To wit:

In a week, Mars will be almost as bright — but at opposition, meaning that it will be directly opposite the Sun. Due to the slightly oval shape of the orbits of Mars and Earth, closest approach and opposition occur on slightly different days. The featured image sequence shows how the angular size of Mars has grown during its approach over the past few months. Noticeably orange, Mars is now visible nearly all night long, reflecting more sunlight toward Earth than either Saturn or Jupiter. Even at its closest and largest, though, Mars will still appear about 100 times smaller, in diameter, than a full moon.

(Image: Jonathan T. Grayson)

apod

Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso, has died of cancer at 65

There was a young fellow called Ed
Who strummed till his finger tips bled
And who was, by far
The best at guitar
As those in the know have all said

John Moynes

Orbis

Tonight.

American investigative sports journalist irvin Muchnick (top right), on the trail of former Irish Olympic swimming coach and child rapist George Gibney (top left) since 2015, answers your questions (submitted earlier) on the case and and the podcast that has brought world-wide attention to Gibney’s crimes.

Irvin writes at Concussion.net.

Earlier: Irvin Muchnick: Not Making Waves

Broadsheet.ie