Gardai find 'wet pubs' and shebeens operating
An Garda Síochána has detected a number of breaches of Covid-19 regulations by licensed premises, across the country including Meath.
Inspections of licensed premises to ensure compliance with public health guidelines and regulations found the vast majority of premises continue to be compliant but An Garda Síochána continues to find premises in breach of regulations.
On Saturday afternoon, Gardai said that in the previous 24 hours there were breaches of Covid-19 regulations by licensed premises, across the country (Limerick, Cork, Carlow, Meath).
These included:
• ‘wet’ pubs open opening for clandestine business (eg: fresh pints, tv on and fire lighting)
• ‘gastro-pubs’ failing to comply with Covid-19 regulations and guidelines (eg: no register in place, 12 tables occupied and no sign of food on any table….. and inspected at 22:45, seven tables with two-four people at each within two metres of each other, No evidence of substantial meals, No face masks being worn by staff…..)
• ‘shebeen’ premises (eg: search carried out in suspected shebeen, 30 people socialising, crowd wore no face coverings, no social distancing, consuming intoxicating liquor)
In all cases where breaches of Public Health regulations have been identified An Garda Síochána will submit files to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking advices as to how to proceed.
In addition to potential criminal breaches by Licensed premises owners, An Garda Síochána wants to remind every person of their social and personal responsibility not to frequent premises or engage in activity which is likely to contribute to the increasing spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and a real threat to everyone, particularly the most vulnerable in our society, the virus is still spreading, it is still leading to serious illness and death.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations in order to continue to save lives.