BIG MAC AND FRIES

»»Huge queues at Mcdonald’s as six restaurants open once more »»Ireland bakes in 24C heat but cops break up beach crowds

IRELAND fried in 24C heat as Mcdonald’s dished up a tasty treat for fast food fans yesterday.

Hundreds of people formed huge tailbacks at six of the chain’s Dublin branches which reopened for the first time since the lockdown.

But gardai were forced to break up crowds who packed on to beaches.

Meanwhile, around half of pubs in the capital are planning to reopen on June 29 as restaurants.

Licensed Vintners Association boss Donall O’keeffe said: “There will be

a strong demand for these venues.”

IRELAND basked in 24C sunshine yesterday - but it’s set to change with heavy rain forecast.

Much of the country enjoyed glorious weather yesterday with temperatures peaking in Ardee, Co Louth, making it hotter than Lanzarote, Casablanca and Rome.

But Met Eireann also issued a Status Yellow warning as gusts of up to 110kmh are set to batter the west of the country.

The alert will be in place for Mayo and Galway from 9pm tonight until 6pm tomorrow.

A Met Eireann spokesman said: “South to south-east winds will reach mean speeds of 45kmh to 65kmh with gusts of 85kmh to 110kmh mainly in coastal areas and on exposed hills and mountains.”

The south-west and east won’t escape either as “heavy rain” is set to lash these areas.

Met Eireann said: “Most places will be dry with good sunshine. However, thundery rain will arrive in the southwest in the evening.”

THE lure of sunshine on sandy coasts yesterday proved too much for some.

Crowds of sunseekers were spotted packed together on beaches and in parks without standing two metres apart.

While top temperatures of 24C caused some people to throw caution to the wind, this virus is still too serious to mess with.

Leo Varadkar warned last week the bug is a fire in retreat and can flare up at any moment.

If it returns at full force it will put a dampener on all our plans to reopen the country fully.

So a day tanning on a packed beach is simply not worth the risk.

FOODY BAGS Sharon, Caitlin and Emma enjoy lunch SUN FUN Mia Williams, 10, in Dublin

SHADING IT Mindi & Daniel Brannigan with Natalie Lancaster HEATING LUNCH Fiona Bonnie and Nina Ayoub in St Stephen’s Green yesterday DEEP DIVE Swimmers at the Forty Foot in Dublin TAKE MY SAND Matilda and Fredrik Thomas at Sandycove Beach LEG UP John Tyndall CAP IT OFF Austin Macmahon