PUBLICANS LIVID THAT OFF-LICENCES ARE ALLOWED STAY OPEN

Level 3 Covid Restrictions - the impact locally

Much anger is being expressed by local publicans this week that once again they are forced to close while off-licences, which they say, are the cause of fuelling house parties and other get-togethers, are allowed to stay open.

With ‘ wet pubs’ just getting back into the swing of things, the latest Level 3 restrictions will see many close their doors again, some perhaps for the final time.

“I couldn’t face closing again, both financially and mentally,” is how James Clancy of Clancy’s Bar in Tallow put it, while Declan Corbett of Corbett Court in Kilworth who has called for CMO Tony Holohan’s resignation, said he has had to lay off 100 of his staff.

Justin Finn of J’s Bar in Mitchelstown is suggesting not to shut the pubs, but instead close the off licences. “We are here to try and live with the virus. The hospitality sector is not causing cases - 50 cases linked to a cafe bar in Cork is not ‘all the sector’,” he said.

On the other side of New Square, Brenda Tangney of Clongibbon House said she is ‘devastated’ to see the business close again for normal trading and have their staff temporarily laid off.

With pubs closing across Ireland yet again due to Level Three restrictions, a new debate has broken out about whether off-licences should be operating within reduced hours to curb the spread of Covid-19 via house parties and irresponsible drinking.

Limerick Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan called on the Government to examine the opening hours of off-licences and the volume of alcohol that can be purchased.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Minister O’Donovan said it had been made clear by Public Health officials that uncontrolled consumption of alcohol has a direct impact on the spread of Covid-19.

"We are asking people to exercise common sense here. When you see slabs of cans being taken home, you know that they are not being taken home for an after-dinner aperitif. We cannot pretend that house parties aren't going on when they clearly are," Mr

Donovan said.

'HEARTBREAKING' TO SEE BUSINESSES CLOSE

Owner of Carry Out off-licence in Fermoy and local councillor, Noel McCarthy, said that he would have no issue with reducing hours to help curb the spread of Covid19.

“My honest opinion is that if we have to reduce hours and play our part in stopping the spread of Covid, I have no problem in doing that,” he told The Avondhu.

Cllr McCarthy also sympathised with businesses that have had to close with the introduction of Level Three restrictions, saying that he would be willing to fully comply with the Government guidelines if off-licence hours are reduced.

“I’ve been in pubs and restaurants myself and they’ve put in a fierce effort, it must be heartbreaking for them,” he said.

However, Cllr McCarthy also pointed out the issue of minimum unit pricing, outlining it as a factor in binge drinking and large alcohol purchases.

“It’s very hard to blame young people when you can go out and buy a 20 box of beer cheaper than you can buy a 20 pack of bottled water,

“I think the Government should act and fix minimum unit pricing, it needs to change,” Cllr McCarthy added.

With a change in minimum unit pricing, Cllr McCarthy said he believes it will encourage people to drink more responsibly and encourage necessary changes to curtail the spread of Covid-19.