A north Leitrim councillor says he hopes a proposal to give gardai the power to turn back motorists who are five kilometres from the border has been fully thought through.
The proposed emergency powers would give gardai the authority to order residents of Northern Ireland to return home if they do not have an acceptable reason for being five kilometres inside the republic.
The emergency powers, expected to be signed this week by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, would also allow gardai to fine northern motorists who are in the republic without an essential travel reason.
Sinn Fein Councillor Padraig Fallon says he hopes gardai will be able to use their discretion in exercising the new powers.
