Over 175 drivers were detected for intoxicated driving, and over 4,000 drivers were detected for speeding during An Garda Síochána's road safety operation.

Ireland currently has 10 bank holidays every year, behind the European average of 12.

During the first 72 hours of the Easter road safety operation, in excess of 2,100 drivers were detected for speeding offences.

Factors adversely impacting performance during the bank holiday period included reduced patient flow activity due to the bank holiday landing on a Tuesday.

According to Drinkaware, over a third of people would like to drink less alcohol.

The busiest day over the weekend will be Friday when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport.

Saturday is set to start off mainly dry, with rain spreading eastwards across the country through the morning and early afternoon.

Throughout the October bank holiday weekend, an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation was in place between 7am on Thursday to 7am yesterday.

143 people have been killed on the roads so far this year.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day of the weekend, with 110,000 passengers arriving and departing from Dublin Airport.

Dozens of motorists were breathalysed at a Garda road safety checkpoint on the M7 near Nenagh to check for alcohol or drugs in their system.

Pleasant days and cool nights on the way