Gardaí did not arrest anyone for breaching COVID-19 restrictions in the last week of June.

A total of 320 people have been arrested for breaching the restrictions since they were introduced in early April.

Meanwhile, some 2,177 people have been charged with other offences by gardaí attempting to police the restrictions since they were introduced.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said there has been “very good compliance with the public health guidelines to date.”

“As we enter Phase 3 it still remains important for people to continue to heed public health advice to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“At the outset of the COVID-19 situation, An Garda Síochána said it will continue to operate as a community-based policing service with a focus on protecting the vulnerable. This approach will not change during this phase.”

Meanwhile, gardaí have suffered 121 spitting and coughing attacks since they were handed the enforcement powers – and made use of the new anti-spit guards 82 times.

“Gardaí continue to be subject of disgusting and despicable spitting and coughing attacks,” said Deputy Commissioner Twomey. “This remains a serious concern for the organisation.

“These are a significant health and safety risk to our members in the current environment. We must protect them from such attacks.”

Garda regulations permit the use of the spit hoods where there is ‘clear evidence of spitting now or where a member believes there is a clear and tangible threat of spitting.’

Each use of the spit guard is recorded and reported to the Policing Authority and their use is due to be reviewed in September.