There was widespread support, estimated at 80 per cent, for the day of action in the Border division of Louth-Meath. Most probationary gardai were focused on the six district headquarters, and many sergeants and inspectors worked longer shifts to ensure that all incidents were dealt with. In the newly created district office in Ashbourne, the superintendent remained in the station to ensure it was open all day. It is the only station open permanently on the N2 between Finglas and Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan. A quarter of the 500 or so gardai in the division were not rostered to work and, of the 375 who were rostered, 75 were probationary gardai. Many had to work 12-hour shifts instead of the usual eight.
Despite the extra work by other ranks, the Border checkpoint at Dromad was a casualty.
Chief Supt Al McHugh said the only occasion he called on the Army was to replace gardai at Tara Mines in Navan where explosives are in use. "I am happy with the service provided today, but it is diminished. We have patrol cars out in every district and the six Garda districts are open. The three Border stations are also open and are not left unmanned. Security on the Border was paramount and has been maintained," he said.
A number of smaller rural stations were not open or were staffed by the local sergeant. It is believed that in the total division fewer than six gardai did not take part in the action.
Senior gardai were well prepared and, while happy with contingency plans, were aware that in the event of a security alert or a traffic emergency they would have been pushed to their limits. In one major town the entire station was manned by sergeants for 24 hours as there were no probationary gardai to draw on.
The staffing in the Border stations of Omeath, Carlingford and Hackballscross, which are open 24 hours a day, was similar to that in post-ceasefire and pre-BSE days.
The much-publicised Operation Lifesaver was not operating. There was only one traffic car in operation instead of the normal five for a bank holiday weekend, although from six o'clock this morning the operation resumed in full.
The weekly sitting of Drogheda District Court was also affected. The list of cases for the day was smaller than usual, but only a handful were dealt with. The majority of matters were adjourned, and just one case was struck out. Judge Flann Brennan ordered the charge of driving a defective vehicle to be struck out after being told the garda involved was not in court and the State was not offering any evidence.