Gardaí to be given emergency powers to turn northern residents back if more than 5km across border Gardai are to be given emergency powers to order residents of Northern Ireland to return home if they are more than 5km across the border, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire Marie Louise McConville 01 February, 2021 01:00 GARDAÍ are to be given emergency powers to order residents of Northern Ireland to return home if they are more than 5km across the border, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly will sign a statutory regulation this week which will give Garda officers the legal authority to tell cross-border visitors to leave the jurisdiction, it was reported yesterday.