GARDAI will be out in force over the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend in an effort to prevent death and injuries on the county's roads.

Extra manpower and specialist equipment will be deployed to assist in the operation which began yesterday (Thursday) and runs until Tuesday. The blitz will target drink driving, speeding, dangerous driving and not wearing seat belts.

Speaking to the Donegal News Inspector Pat O'Donnell said they would be targeting urban areas and other 'key locations' at night. He said random breath testing would be a key feature of the weekend campaign. So far this year nine people have lost their lives on Donegal's roads compared to eight for the same period last year.

Inspector O'Donnell said they were not out to spoil anybody's enjoyment but called on people to 'act responsibly' when they're out on the road. He warned the campaign would be intense and involve covert and overt operations.

"We're calling on all road users to exercise caution, be they drivers, motorcyclist, cyclists or passengers. We're not out to spoil anybody's enjoyment. All we want is for people to act responsibility and make alternative arrangements if they are going out to socialise and are taking a drink," he said.

"People have to take responsibility for their own actions. They must not do anything that could endanger their life or the lives of others. We're also calling on publicans to act responsibly and ensure that persons leaving premises get home safely while parents can play their role by knowing what their kids are at all times," Inspector O'Donnell added.

For operational reasons he would not comment on the numbers of gardai or the level of extra checkpoints that are planned as part of the blitz.