Co Kildare Gardaí are appealing to put on the 'Green Jersey' for road safety

Gardaí in Co Kildare will be operating checkpoints throughout the county over St Patrick's weekend.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to all road users to put on the ‘Green Jersey’ for road safety and show their national pride by making it a safe weekend for everyone on the roads this St Patrick’s weekend.

As the country prepares to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with events taking place all across the country drivers and pedestrians in particular are being reminded that any amount of alcohol can cause impairment. The advice is ‘if you are planning to head out plan how you are getting home’.

Since 2012 a total of 54 people have been killed and seriously injured on Irish roads over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, while there were 749 arrests for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Meanwhile, many roads will be closed in towns throughout the county, to facilitate the St Patrick's Day Parade.

The N78 through Athy will be closed from 12noon to 4pm tomorrow to facilitate the passing of the St. Patricks Day Parade.

That is the road from from N78 junction with Fortbarrington Road L8990 to the rounadbout with the R418 at Gallowshill.

Diversion routes will be in place for this period.