Gardaí may get extra powers to close down rogue pubs
THE Government may arm An Garda Síochána with new powers to close down pubs that are found to be in breach of Covid-19 restrictions, according to the Justice Minister.
Pubs were found to be in widespread violation of new rules that require food to be served with alcohol.
But senior gardaí told the
Irish Mail on Sunday that they were unsure of what the law allowed them to do in enforcing the new restrictions on licensed premises.
New Justice Minister Helen McEntee has moved to clarify Garda powers – but made clear that the fight to prevent a second wave of the pandemic will come down to public vigilance in the first instance.
‘I would say to the public that if you find yourself in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, if you feel a business or venue is too crowded, or is not applying the guidelines properly – you should leave.
‘Don’t stay there contributing to the problem. Personal responsibility has been vital to our success in suppressing the virus and moving through the roadmap,’ Ms McEntee told the MoS.
‘Gardaí will continue to adopt a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent.
‘This has seen Garda members engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.
‘I am keeping the situation under close review and will consider additional powers for gardaí, if necessary.
‘But I am conscious that we are in this for the long haul,’ she said.
‘I have asked my officials to consider whether there are any other powers that could assist gardaí with this
‘Gardaí will adopt a graduated response’
important work, in order to keep people safe and stop the spread of this virus that has changed all our lives.
‘My officials are looking at a number of options, in consultation with the Commissioner, to assist An Garda Síochána, if required.
‘We have seen in recent days the increase in the reproductive number of the virus. It’s important that we remember why the public health guidelines are in place.
‘They are there to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and to keep all of us safe, in particular the most vulnerable among us, in our own families.’
A spokesman last night confirmed that the minister spoke to the attorney general on Friday with a view to ‘progressing additional powers if the gardaí need them’.
Twenty-six pubs could face prosecution for breaching coronavirus health regulations or licensing laws, gardaí have said. Officers carried out 6,830 checks on pubs and restaurants between Friday and Sunday evening last.
Pubs that serve food and restaurants reopened to the public last Monday after further restrictions were lifted by the Government.
During Operation Navigation, gardaí said 2,785 individual licensed premises were open for business.
This week deputy commissioner John Twomey said: ‘Last weekend, Operation Navigation found that the vast majority of licensed premises were adhering to the public health regulations.
‘Unfortunately, 26 didn’t appear to be.
‘By doing so, they are putting themselves, their employees, their customers and the wider community at risk of getting Covid-19.
‘We would hope that lessons have been learnt,’ he said.
‘In addition, customers of licensed premises engaged in such practices also have to take personal responsibility.’
Operation Navigation, which began at 7pm on Friday of last week, saw officers conducting spot checks of licensed premises nationwide.
Pubs and restaurants in
Ireland opened their doors for the first time 12 days ago, on Monday, June 29, as the country entered phase three of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
In terms of social distancing and how long patrons can spend in the pub, gardaí can only offer ‘guidance’ to members of the public.
‘We hope that lessons have been learned’