NO EXCUSE

statement his spokesman said last night: “He does apologise for any distress caused by his attendance and reiterated that he would not have attended had he thought that the event was not in full compliance with Government guidelines.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin was said to be furious and had demanded an apology from the former Environment Minister.

He said: “He should apologise. I think he should be far more fulsome in his response to this.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn left the public in no doubt what he thought of the gala dinner.

He told the Daily Mirror last night:

LOCKDOWN restrictions in Kildare will be extended for two weeks, the Republic said last night.

Last week it accounted for a third of cases in Ireland but acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said numbers have stabilised. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly added: “The measures are working but they need more time. This is

difficult news for families, businesses and communities right across Kildare.”

Special restrictions in Laois and Offaly are being lifted with immediate effect.

Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar said the Government will provide further assistance to firms in Kildare.

He added: “It has been a devastating few months for business owners, their

staff and families. By extending these restrictions now, we will avoid further, more damaging measures later on.”

The health authorities added Kildare has seen a recent improvement but recorded nearly 200 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 27 elsewhere.

It is reporting 40 new cases a day, twice as many as it was two weeks ago.