COVID-19 UPDATE: A further 44 die as driver jailed for three months for breaking travel rules

A further 44 people lost their lives from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland in the last 24 hours, the HSE said this evening.

The total now stands at 730 in the Republic.

The number of confirmed cases has now reached 16,040 after another 388 were diagnosed.

The total of deaths in Northern Ireland has reached 220 after nine more people died overnight, according to Public Health Agency figures.

Meanwhile, A 24-year-old man has been  given a three-month sentence  for breaking the restrictions on movement introduced to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Denis Constantin with an address at Shinguan, Mile House Road in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty to two charges and other motoring offences.

He was stopped twice by gardaí over the Easter weekend – on Good Friday and again on Easter Monday – more than 2km from his home without a valid reason

He also admitted other offences including driving without a licence or insurance while disqualified.