Taoiseach cup handover ‘was serious fracture of guidelines’
Either the rules apply to all or else they do not TD PAUL MURPHY YESTERDAY
AN opposition TD has insisted the Taoiseach has questions to answer over his attendance at an indoor event in honour of his late father in what he alleges was “serious” breach of health guidelines.
Michael Martin visited the Glen Boxing Club in Cork last December to present his dad’s Paddy ‘The Champ’ Martin cup.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said: “It seems like the Taoiseach attended an indoor gathering during level three when indoor gatherings were explicitly not allowed.
“Either the rules apply for everybody or they don’t and you begin to undermine them. “It looks very serious to me.” There were at least 12 people in attendance including officers from the club, the Cork County Boxing Board, other boxing associations, and guest boxer Christina Desmond, who won the cup, and her family.
The 45-minute event went ahead under level three restrictions when all indoor gatherings were banned.
During photos and speeches at the event masks were not worn.
A spokesman for the Department of the Taoiseach said Mr Martin attended the event for work. He added: “Ahead of the engagement, as standard, guidance was provided to the club, including limiting the number of attendees, social distancing and wearing of masks when not speaking or in photos.”
A Garda spokesperson said they are “not conducting an investigation into this matter”.