Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
In the rough
“Woefully inadequate and self serving behaviour to add to the
IRISH police will interview VIPS who dined out at the Oireachtas Golf Society bash.
An investigation was launched yesterday hours after Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary resigned.
Attendees and organisers of events that flout Covid restrictions can be in breach of the temporary laws.
A spokesman said yesterday: “Garda are investigating alleged breaches of The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.3) Regulations 2020, as amended.”
Anyone convicted of organising an event in breach of regulations faces a fine of up to£2,500 and/or up to six months in prison.
A number of people have already been convicted and jailed for short periods for more minor Covid-19related offences, including being more than 2km or 5km from home without a legitimate excuse.
Invitations for the golfing event were issued by society captain Independent TD Noel Grealish and society president Donie Cassidy, a former Fianna Fail senator.
Covid-19 laws state “a person shall not hold or participate” in events that are covered by restrictions on gatherings.
On Tuesday, 24 hours before the golfing event, the number of people permitted at indoor events was lowered by the Government to a maximum of six, down from 50.
The prohibition on indoor gatherings is “a penal provision”, meaning it is a criminal offence.
Garda sources said when the criminal probe into the Oireachtas golf outing was completed a file would be sent to the DPP.
There have also been calls for a probe into how Mr Hogan travelled to Connemara from his base in the K Club in Kildare which is under a countywide travel lockdown.
A spokesperson for the Commissioner said he “did not breach any lockdown rules in respect of Co Kildare in attending the golf event in Galway”.
It was also revealed the hotel used a partition which it believed kept the numbers under 50 and in line with the old guidelines.
The explanation sparked fury from families who have cancelled weddings, funeral receptions, confirmations and communions because of crowd limits.